Jonathan Baldock: 0.1%

Jonathan Baldock’s immersive installation at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE will draw on the site’s rich history, which is home to the ruins of a Roman Temple of Mithras. The new commission will explore myths, legends, gods and rituals and their influence on our lives.

The British artist’s distinctive sculptural installations are formed from natural materials such as hessian wool, clay, wood and metal. Together they blend colour, texture, scent, sound and humour. Influenced by myth, folklore and paganism, Baldock’s work reimagines queer and working-class histories, uncovering hidden narratives.

Central to the installation and inspired by the Roman artefacts discovered on the site, will be a personal relic of Baldock’s, the remnants of an early clay sculpture he made for his mother. Cast in bronze from a 3D scan and adorned with semi- precious gems, the supersized form will complete a monumental Mother Goddess sculpture, contrasting with the male-centric Mithras religion below.

“Stories of the past help us to understand the world, and foster connection.” explains Baldock “0.1% refers to the small genetic difference that unites humanity. The installation explores support structures and ideas of family, both biological and chosen, emphasising our interconnectedness and interdependence.”