Faisal Abdu’Allah, an internationally acclaimed artist and professor with the School of Education’s Art Department, has been chosen as UW–Madison’s next recipient of the Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art.

Abdu’Allah, who grew up in London, was enjoying a successful professional career as an artist when he was invited to UW–Madison in 2013 to work on campus as the Arts Institute’s Interdisciplinary Artist in Residence. He was invited to return to UW–Madison in the fall of 2014 to join the Art Department as a faculty member, and has become a highly regarded educator and mentor.

“Faisal Abdu’Allah has established himself not only as a groundbreaking and respected artist who has shown his work across the world, but he has also proven himself to be an outstanding teacher to our students at UW–Madison,” says School of Education Dean Diana Hess. “I am so pleased to announce that Faisal is receiving the prestigious Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art.”

Abdu’Allah is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, where he was trained as a printmaker. His work often evolves out of the interface of photography, printed media, film, installation, and performance. This art has been exhibited widely, including at: the National Maritime Museum London (2020); Foto Fest, Houston (2020); Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno, Gran Canaria, Spain (2019); Somerset House, London; Pā Rongorongo, Auckland, New Zealand (2019); and the 55th Ven- ice Biennale, Italy (2013).