Leo Robinson breathes new life into the mysteries of Mithras

London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE presents DREAM-BRIDGE-OMNIGLYPH by British artist Leo Robinson. Open from 1 February 2024 to 29 June 2024, Robinson’s new installation is inspired by the Roman Temple of Mithras discovered on the Bloomberg site during the 1950s, and explores the ancient myth of Mithras through an immersive space evocative of the initiation ceremonies thought to have been held in the Temple. Responding to the journey of finding personal identity within a complex cultural heritage, Robinson converts the space into a contemporary ritual ground through imagined cultural images and sacred objects.

DREAM-BRIDGE-OMNIGLYPH begins with an archway covered with symbols which emanates transitory sounds. Enclosed by black walls covered with reimagined, pre-colonial West Indian rock carvings (omniglyphs), a large tapestry hangs alongside to serve as a psychological mind map of symbols, images and pathways. The journey proceeds through a series of fantastical instruments cast in bronze, influenced by historical pieces from West Africa and Ethiopia. The inclusion of new relics throughout the ancient space contributes to Robinson’s practice of evolving new rituals and traditions to fill the gap left by colonial displacement.

Key iconography known as ‘Tauroctony’, found in Temples of Mithras across the Roman Empire, depict the god Mithras slaying a bull. “The defeat of this beast,” Robinson suggests, symbolises “not only a quest for control over external aspects of life but also the taming of our inner forces.” Robinson’s site-specific installation guides viewers on a journey of descent into the Mithraic temple, to confront their inner selves represented by the bull.

DREAM-BRIDGE-OMNIGLYPH is an evolution of Robinson’s continued exploration into the unconscious through rituals, forms and symbolism. In September 2023, Robinson undertook a research and production residency with Guest Artists Space (G. A. S.) Foundation (Nigeria), founded by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. During this Lagos-based residency, Robinson developed his practice while immersing himself in Nigeria’s culture, heritage and music. Building on his recent solo exhibitions, On Exactitude, Indigo + Madder, London (2023) and The Infinity Card, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff (2022), DREAM-BRIDGE-OMNIGLYPH immerses the viewer in a suspension of time and space, breathing new life into the mysteries of the cult of Mithras.

Visitors will be able to engage further with the exhibition using the Bloomberg Connects app, the free digital guide to cultural organisations around the world that makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices, anytime, anywhere. The app can be downloaded for free via Google Play or the App Store.

About the artist:
Leo Robinson graduated from Manchester School of Art in 2016. His artistic practice runs parallel to his explorations in spirituality and symbolic narrative. His work begins from meditations upon his own attachments and ideals, before questioning how they mirror the collective psychological, social and political spheres. Robinson’s visual symbols range from the deeply personal to the referential, scientific and historical.

Recent solo exhibitions include: On Exactitude (2023), Indigo + Madder, London, UK, The Infinity Card (2022), Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, UK, and Theories for Cosmic Joy (2019), Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK.

Recent group exhibitions include: To The Edge of Time, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, Antechamber, Quench, Margate, UK, Bathing Nervous Limbs, Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh, UK, and tender spots in hard code…, Arebyte, London, UK (all 2021).

About London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE
Situated on the site of Bloomberg’s European headquarters, London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE returns the Roman Temple of Mithras to the location of its discovery in the heart of London and offers visitors an immersive experience of the ancient temple as well as a chance to see a collection of the Roman artefacts found during the building excavations. Expanding on Bloomberg’s legacy of support for new commissions by international artists, the ground floor Bloomberg SPACE gallery aims to present lively and thoughtful works by contemporary artists whilst bringing fresh perspectives to the many-layered history of the site. London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE is free to visit and open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am to 5pm. Pre-booking is advised through londonmithraeum.com.

About Bloomberg Connects
The London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE guide on Bloomberg Connects invites audiences to go deeper and learn more about the site and the temple. This free digital guide to cultural organisations around the world makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices, anytime, anywhere. The guide features exclusive interactive content, educational resources and historical exhibitions and can be downloaded for free via Google Play or the App Store.

Media contact:
Oisin O’Malley, oomalley2@bloomberg.net