Art of Monotony - Portraits Hardcover – February 16, 2026

The work of the prolific artist J. Bonegard was created while he was serving time in a prison camp for a crime he did not commit. This collection—graphite drawings on lined paper—focuses on the human face, replacing ubiquitous mugshots and their negative connotations with portraits that redefine the world in a positive light. It highlights the inner self over external influences and emphasizes empathy as he tries to understand and cope with the experience of incarceration. Viewing the prison camp as a symbol of suffering, the artist chose to look beyond the hardships and embrace a different path—one that leads to a bridge symbolizing hope and a brighter future.The images are raw, showcasing an innovative, coarse surface texture created through a technical manipulation with a found object in the prison environment. In monochrome, they serve as a reminder of the bleak prison setting and the challenges and uncertainties of incarceration. The abstract, timestamped images invite viewers to explore the pages of a visual diary, where each picture depicts an imaginary person with a subdued yet somber expression. Over time, each face begins to look more similar to the others, even becoming more abstract. Despite their seemingly monotonous appearance, each image captures a moment in the life of a somewhat forgotten prisoner. Read more