Roy Cowan

Roy Cowan (1918-2006) was a New Zealand artist, known primarily for his pottery, printmaking, and painting. He was a significant figure in the mid-20th century New Zealand art scene, contributing to the development of a distinctive national artistic identity.

Cowan studied at Wellington Technical College and later became a part-time lecturer there. He and his wife, Juliet Peter, established a pottery studio in Wellington in the 1950s, producing a range of functional and decorative ceramics. Their work often incorporated New Zealand motifs and indigenous influences.

Cowan's prints frequently featured landscapes and stylized depictions of native flora and fauna. He also experimented with abstract and figurative forms in his paintings. His art is represented in major public collections throughout New Zealand, including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.