Artwork by UW–Madison’s Faisal Abdu’Allah is featured on the cover of Robert Beckford’s newest book, “Decolonizing Contemporary Gospel Music Through Praxis.”

Abdu’Allah, an internationally acclaimed artist and professor with the School of Education’s Art Department, is the Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art and the associate dean of the arts in the School of Education.

Beckford’s book explores how the Black British contemporary gospel music tradition is in crisis because its songs continue to be informed by colonial Christian ideas about God.

The book’s cover features a photograph that is part of Abdu’Allah’s “Revelations” series, which foregrounds the crucifixion of Christ. This is the fifth book by Beckford that has spotlighted Abdu’Allah’s work.