The British artist, who's currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, takes inspiration from multiple sources.
"I could talk about meditation, indexical semiotics or current affairs... Even the natural environment itself dictates the formation of some artworks. I draw from a wide array of sources, including philosophical figures, classical artists, cultural icons, and everyday individuals," Bateman shared in an interview with Bored Panda.
The artist noted that this eclectic mix reflects personal experiences and contextual play.
"They are deliberately displayed on social media, where people share their own moments in a curated tapestry of life, for as long as the pixels will last," Bateman added.
When asked which artwork he loves the most, Bateman shared that he actually doesn't have a favorite, since each of them has its own unique significance.
"Some are more technically proficient, others have a rich cultural narrative, a few display appealing anatomical architecture, aesthetics or allegorical meaning. They are notes in a diary," the artist explained.
Bateman then shared the example of Leonardo da Vinci, who was the master of the unfinished sketch.
"I explore this idea; a selection of fragments enjoying temporary concert. But ultimately the works are a veneration to the principles of entropy," he said, noting wu wei in Taoism, which implies effortless action, a balance between intention and surrender.
"The process becomes the destination, the final piece is not the target. Even if I chose my favourite one today, tomorrow it would change," Bateman said.
Bateman also revealed that some of his artworks are rooted in deeply personal experiences.
"After a breakup, I formed an unexpected bond with a stray cat. It was a profound reminder that the length of love does not define its depth. I believe it is the quality of our attention that turns ordinary moments into something extraordinary," he shared.
"I proceeded to create the cat using stones upon which he walked. Whilst many of my pieces are inspired by external subjects, the process of creating art from natural materials is inherently personal. It reflects my journey, thoughts, and emotions at the time of creation," Bateman added.
The artist explained that sharing these works, especially knowing their impermanent nature, fosters a profound connection with the process rather than the product.
"Life is riddled with stone metaphors, rocks easily define a new path and mosaics have told stories for centuries.... These are a few of mine, but they are just fragments like bread crumbs," Bateman said.
For Bateman, the act of both stone selection and portrait creation is hugely meditative, involving hours of meticulous focus.
"It doesn't matter if it's a beach, railway or volcano, I try to align with the process entirely which means abandoning worldly concerns and nurturing intuition. It is like an ancient ritual at which I am a guest," he explained.
The artist also mentioned that the exact system can rarely be repeated because there's a huge number of variables, including the stones themselves.
"At times they fit perfectly, you can almost select the next stone without looking. At other times it's like like forcing together a poorly made jigsaw - I usually abandon those ones; if the eyes don't work it's not happening," he said.
Bateman believes that adaptation is both necessary and fun.
"The limit of using only stones tests ingenuity and entropy is the playground of evolution," he added.
