Struktur by Nils Olof Bonnier

Nils Olof Bonnier (1945–1969) was a young artist on the verge of a brilliant future, with exhibitions at leading galleries and Moderna Museet, when he in 1969 vanished without a trace from a ferry traveling between Helsinki and Stockholm. The disappearance occurred during a school trip to St. Petersburg with Valand Academy of Art. Seventeen years later, Bonnier—still missing—was officially declared dead.

The year before his disappearance at sea, Bonnier, then a member of the acclaimed artist group Björnligan, self-published the artist’s book Struktur, a work at the absolute forefront of international conceptual book art. Entirely handmade by Bonnier himself and released in a very limited edition, the book has over time become as legendary as it is elusive. Today, many collectors consider Struktur the holy grail of Swedish artist’s books.

With the support of Nils Olof Bonnier’s son, Mikael, we are pleased to announce that LL’Editions has now released a faithful facsimile edition of Struktur. The book is accompanied by a second volume featuring an essay by Thomas Millroth, which contextualizes Bonnier’s life and work while also challenging the prevailing historical narrative of his disappearance. The essay is presented in both Swedish and in an English translation by Samuel Teeland.

The two volumes are presented in a handmade slipcase, published in a numbered edition of 100 copies.

Nils Olof Bonnier (1945–1969)
A Swedish conceptual artist and writer, born and raised in Gothenburg. He studied at the School of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg, Konstfack and the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm, and concluded his studies at Valand Art School, where he joined the artist collective Björnligan.

In his brief yet impactful career, Bonnier exhibited at venues such as  (Gothenburg) and Galleri Bleue (Stockholm), published artists’ books, and wrote art criticism for Göteborgs Handels- och Sjöfartstidning. One of his public artworks, a green-lacquered steel structure, was installed in Gothenburg in 1968.

Shortly after midnight on May 22, 1969, Bonnier vanished without a trace from the ferry Birger Jarl, returning from a student trip to Leningrad with Valand. He was 24 years old. His disappearance sparked various theories—accident, suicide, or politically motivated foul play. He was officially declared dead in 1986.

Bonnier’s work is represented in the collections of Moderna Museet and the Gothenburg Museum of Art. His life and disappearance have been the subject of the 2012 documentary The Artist Who Disappeared by Johan von Sydow, as well as several radio features and cultural discussions.

Pages: 208, Supplement 64
Dimensions: 146 x 216 mm
Format: Softcover, Slipcase
Year: 2025
Language: English, Swedish
Publisher: LL’Editions