Connecticut News

Movie stars, jazz icons, water and light: photographer Adger Cowans reflects on his life’s work

Connecticut Public Radio | By Ryan Caron King

Published March 24, 2022 at 11:38 AM EDT

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Adger Cowans sits during an interview in his Bridgeport studio in February 2022. The photographer and visual artist reflected on his expansive career — spanning from Hollywood movie sets to photographing musicians of the jazz era. Cowans also worked with and was close friends with Gordon Parks, a celebrated photographer and movie director who was the first Black staff photographer at LIFE magazine.

Adger Cowans is an 85-year-old photographer and visual artist in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He worked with Gordon Parks and photographed jazz greats, movie stars and Hollywood sets — and bore witness to several eras of American history through the lens of his camera. In this video, he reflects on his life’s work, the racism he faced working in a predominantly white industry and what motivates him to make art.

You can see Cowans's work in a new exhibition at the Fairfield University Art Museum until June 18.

Video by Ryan Caron King

_{Fairfield University is a partner of Connecticut Public.}