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A landscape image of the Bothy. The bothy structure, which looks like a small shed, is bright blue, with red shutters and details. Surrounding the Bothy, there is a gravel floor, tall brick walls, and a variety of green plants, which are partially visible in the frame. Pale blue sky peaks through gaps in the fluffy white clouds above.
A Landscape image of a large group of people stood by the bright blue structure of the Bothy, taken from across the canal. The Bothy is partially obscured by the group, who stand and sit in small groups in front of it. The dark, calm water of the canal stretches in front of the scene. Behind the group and the Bothy, a large brick building is visible.
A Landscape image of people sitting and standing in front of the bright blue shed-like structure of the Bothy. Three women stand talking side-by-side in front of the Bothy door, whilst many others sit in folding chairs within the raised planters of the garden.
A Landscape image of a woman with dark brown skin sitting in front of the bright blue shed-like structure of the bothy. The woman wears an olive green coat, a head wrap, and sunglasses. She looks off to one side, and appears to be laughing, she holds a bright green paper cup.
A landscape image of the bothy's interior. The centre of the image is a wall made of pale brown wood that is lined with shelves. The shelves hold brown plastic tubs, and gardening equipment such as a watering can and trowels. Drying herbs hang from one of these shelves.
A landscape image of the Bothy. The bothy structure, which looks like a small shed, is bright blue, with red shutters and details. Surrounding the Bothy, there is a gravel floor, tall brick walls, and a variety of green plants, which are partially visible in the frame. Pale blue sky peaks through gaps in the fluffy white clouds above.

Bothy, Alberta Whittle, (June 2022) Photo by Patrick Dandy

A Landscape image of a large group of people stood by the bright blue structure of the Bothy, taken from across the canal. The Bothy is partially obscured by the group, who stand and sit in small groups in front of it. The dark, calm water of the canal stretches in front of the scene. Behind the group and the Bothy, a large brick building is visible.

Launch of ‘the Bothy,’ by Alberta Whittle, Minerva Garden Women’s Group, and MJM Bespoke, Birmingham. Photo by Tom Harris, 2022.

A Landscape image of people sitting and standing in front of the bright blue shed-like structure of the Bothy. Three women stand talking side-by-side in front of the Bothy door, whilst many others sit in folding chairs within the raised planters of the garden.
A Landscape image of a woman with dark brown skin sitting in front of the bright blue shed-like structure of the bothy. The woman wears an olive green coat, a head wrap, and sunglasses. She looks off to one side, and appears to be laughing, she holds a bright green paper cup.
A landscape image of the bothy's interior. The centre of the image is a wall made of pale brown wood that is lined with shelves. The shelves hold brown plastic tubs, and gardening equipment such as a watering can and trowels. Drying herbs hang from one of these shelves.

Alberta WhittleThe Bothy: Congregation

2022 – Ongoing

‘The Bothy’ is a permanent, outdoor installation in the Minerva Apothecary Garden on the Grand Union Canal side. ‘The Bothy’ is intended as a place for people to use for shelter and rest, made by British-Barbadian artist Alberta Whittle, as part of her long-term artist project with Grand Union entitled ‘Congregation: Creating Dangerously’.

Using the model of a Scottish bothy – which provides temporary shelter and is free for anyone to use –  the artist, Birmingham-based Women’s organisations, and MJM Bespoke have designed a structure referencing a Barbadian Chattel House in the area connecting the Grand Union Canal to the Minerva Apothecary Garden. Within our approach to mutual care is the importance of respite as a framework for support.

This public sculpture will be designed to be spacious enough to hold ten people at a time, with intentional viewing spots of the sky and land. These subtle design features will support an acknowledgement towards understanding how natural resources can contribute to healing communities.

This project is generously supported by Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Find out more about Alberta Whittle's 'Congregation: Creating Dangerously' →

Visit ‘the Bothy’ today:

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