Amanda Rose Rowan (born January 3, 1979) is an American photographer, filmmaker and actress. She is the daughter of bluegrass musician Peter Rowan and fashion stylist and model Leslie Rowan. She is known for several acting roles in film and television.

Early life

Rowan was brought up surrounded by prolific musicians; her godmother is singer

Maria Muldaur Maria Muldaur (born Maria Grazia Rosa Domenica D'Amato; September 12, 1942) is an American folk and blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s. She recorded the 1973 hit song "Midnight at the Oasis" and has ...

and her uncles are Chris Rowan and Lorin Rowan of The Rowan Brothers. Born and raised in Northern California, Rowan moved to NYC to attend the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU with a double major in performing arts and photography, graduating ''

cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some Sou ...

'' in 2001. Rowan has always enjoyed music, singing, and songwriting. At age eight, she collaborated with her father Peter Rowan on the lyrics for the song "On the Wings of Horses" (from the

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-nominated album ''Dustbowl Children''). The song was later recorded by

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...

on Disney's ''Country Music for Kids'' album. Throughout her childhood, Rowan toured with her father around the world, often performing with him onstage.

Career

Photography

In high school, Rowan was given her first camera. She then discovered her passion for photography, taking pictures at her father's rock concerts and staging photo shoots with friends. She is known for a whimsical style of iconic portrait photography that often lends a heightened sense of reality. These photoshoots have evolved today into a portrait portfolio that includes many celebrity subjects, among them Rufus Wainwright,

Inara George Inara Maryland George (born July 4, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter and musician, one half of The Bird and the Bee, a member of the band Merrick, with Bryony Atkinson, and a member of the trio The Living Sisters, with Eleni Mandell and ...

, Sean Lennon, Diva Zappa, Amy Smart, Harper Simon Paris Hilton, Jenni Muldaur and the water ballet company Aqualillies. In 2004 she founded Rowan Imagery, a New York and Los Angeles-based photography company specializing in editorial, portrait and press photography. Her work has been published by '' New York Magazine'' for ''Grub Street'', by ''Total Beauty'', and by the Beverage Media Group. She is also a contributing photographer for Kimberly Belle's lauded food and wedding blog "I Love Farm Weddings".

Acting and filmmaking

In addition to many theater roles (including in the acclaimed 2006 revival of ''Noises Off''), Rowan has appeared on TV shows such as '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent'', and '' CSI''. She also starred opposite

Dave Chappelle David Khari Webber Chappelle ( ; born August 24, 1973) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is best known for his satirical comedy sketch series ''Chappelle's Show'' (2003–2006), which he starred in until quitting in the middle of p ...

in his last sketch on '' Chappelle's Show''. and appears opposite Paris Hilton in the National Lampoon comedy ''

Pledge This ''National Lampoon's Pledge This!'' is a 2006 American comedy film starring Paris Hilton, who also served as an executive producer. The film was released straight to video. Plot When a dorm toilet explodes on the first day back to school, a gro ...

'', with Geoffrey Arend. Following the film's release, Rowan starred in the

Nederlander Organization The Nederlander Organization, founded in 1912 by David T. Nederlander in Detroit, and currently based in New York City, is one of the largest operators of live theaters and music venues in the United States. Its first acquisition was a lease on ...

-produced national tour of '' Of Mice and Men'', playing Curly's wife. In 2008, Rowan produced and played the lead role in the film ''She Pedals Fast, for a Girl'', which she co-wrote with filmmaker Eva Vives. This romantic film depicts the life of a female NYC bike messenger by day and a cabaret singer by night. Rowan collaborated with her father on the film's original song, "Paris is a Lonely Town". In 2011 she produced and acted in the comedy feature film ''Hold On Loosely''.

Exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

*January 2021, Public Offerings, London *April 2020, The H Club Los Angeles/ London *March 2020, Close Up curated by Patricia Lanza, The Eye of Photography

Group exhibitions

*Permanent collection at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas with Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Takashi Murakami. *February 2020, The H Club, Los Angeles *January 2020, Photo LA *October 2019 "

Photo District News ''Photo District News'' (or ''PDN'') was an American monthly trade publication for professional photographers. ''PDN'' was first published in 1980. The publication took its name from New York City's photo district, an area of photo businesses tha ...

- Fine Art Photography" curated by Holly Hues and Photo District News, Chelsea, NYC *September 2019 "PhotoVille," DUMBO, Brooklyn *February 2019 OWADA Gallery, Shibuya Tokyo. *January 2019 "Women In Color" at LA ART Show with Carrie Able Gallery, curated by Kayla Coleman, LA *December 2018 "Creative Portrait Exhibition," Los Angeles Center of Photography, curated by Nicholas & David Fahey *December 2018 "Ritual," Pulse Art Fair- Art Basel, with Carie Able Gallery, Miami Beach, FL *November 2018 Analogue Forever Magazine, Group Show *August 2018 "Ritual"- Carie Able Gallery, Summer Show, Curated by Float Magazine. Brooklyn, NY *2016 "Born Backstage," Wall Street Gallery, Produced by Mr. Brainwash, Los Angeles, CA. *2011 Aqualillies Water Ballet co. Photography and performance collaboration *2011 Red Cat, Let's Call It Valencia. D300, Cal Arts. Performance collaboration with Alexa Gerrity.

References

External links

Artist Interview: I Like Your Work PodcastArtis Interview: Public OfferingsClose up with Amanda Rowan for Eye of Photography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rowan, Aaron Living people Photographers from California American women photographers 1979 births Place of birth missing (living people) Tisch School of the Arts alumni