Painter, teacher and gallery director, born in Liverpool. He studied at the local College of Art, then at the Academy of Fine Arts, Florence, 1951–57. For two years ran a gallery for the New Shakespeare Theatre Club which was exemplary in showing the work of such artists as Paul Klee, Francis Bacon and Josef Herman. After a year in Italy Rowan returned to teach in Britain, including posts at Liverpool and Cardiff Colleges of Art. Was a member of the 56 Group and also showed at Howard Roberts Gallery in Cardiff, Clark Gallery in New York and elsewhere. Made a number of films, including one on Augustus and Gwen John, in 1975, for BBC Television. CASW, National Museum of Wales in Cardiff and other public galleries hold his work.
Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)