British artist stuck in Thailand creates masterpieces using pebbles

A BRITISH artist stuck in Thailand has found a way to avoid hitting rock bottom — by making masterpieces with pebbles.

Justin Bateman, 44, has been stranded in Chiang Mai since the pandemic began so creates pebble portraits of the Queen, Picasso and others to pass the time.



The artist’s portrait of the Queen is a masterpiece

Justin Bateman had only planned on staying in Chiang Mai for a week – but has remained there now for nearly ten months after the pandemic struck

Justin, of Portsmouth, said: “The farmer whose portrait I did was most perplexed when I showed him the work.

“He loved it, but he seemed confused as to why I did it.

“This work is kind of ironic.

“You can’t sell it, and few people get to see it live, so it’s a bit pointless… but that’s the point.

“A sandcastle or a snowman are just as important as Michelangelo’s David – even more important, because you made them.”



 Justin’s portrait of Kim Phuc Phan Thi, who is famously known as the ‘Napalm Girl’

The artist’s version of Michelangelo’s David made from pebbles

The farmer whose portrait I did was most perplexed when I showed him the work, says Justin