Photographing the Female exhibit at Willow School rocks on opening night

When co-founders, Pearl and Mark Biedron started The Willow School in Peapack-Gladstone, their objectives were clear: They wanted a school that emphasized mastery of the English language, academic excellence and the joy of learning that was rooted in a strong virtues program.

Their dreams continued to loom large with a commitment to demonstrate an ethical relationship between people and the natural world, and personal stewardship for the earth. From there, five years later after the school had opened in 2000, it became a model in education and sustainable design.

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Now, leveraging off its aesthetic beauty and cultural panache, with photographer and curator, Sarah Hoilund’s Photographing the Female on display, The Willow School functions like an art gallery too.

Hosted by Pearl, with a huge turnout, the opening reception Tuesday, July 18, drew a large crowd.

“I think The Willow School is a beautiful space,” Pearl said. “I hosted the show here with Sarah because I always envisioned many of the spaces as wonderful for displaying and viewing artwork. Sarah is a Danish friend. I became inspired by this collection of images which she has put together when I saw her on a visit to Denmark in early May. Sarah’s vision, which showcases work from other photographers, from 16 different countries, encompasses work that will evolve over time and travel to different countries and cities around the world. I believe that the show is extremely important conceptually, substantively, thematically, and artistically. Although the degrees and details will vary, the themes addressed through this body of work are ones with which we all grapple: objectification, emerging sexuality, aging, abuse, among others."

The show, which first opened in Mumbai in March at the Focus Festival, brought more than 600 attendees, Pearl said, adding. “I was particularly moved when Sarah told me that the photographs had to be destroyed at the end of the show in Mumbai to protect the photographers.

“As the daughter of two artists, I’ve been exposed to great work, many of whom are women," Pearl said. "I have a great appreciation for art and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have met and known artists whose work leaves me uplifted and inspired and a bit lighter or moved to action because of the darkness it unearths.”

As a teenager and young adult, Pearl kewn Georgia O’Keefe and Louise Bourgeois.

“Both of these women, strong, independent visionaries and artists had a profound impact on me and how I conceptualized myself and possibilities for my own power in life as I was becoming an adult," she said. "My mother’s strength, vision, energy, and advocacy for women claiming their power certainly also had a profound impact on me as I was growing up. My mother curated an O’Keefe show at the Peck School when my sisters and I were students there in the late '70s. I’m proud of this.”

Hoilund is passionate about empowering women. She’s also always been “a visual and creative soul.” For this reason, engaging through the arts was a natural step for her.

“I really do think that art has the power to transform and make change but I also think that we are stronger if we work together across fields and industries and combine our knowledge and skill sets,” Hoilund explained.

“That’s one of the aims of Photographing the Female, to collaborate with initiatives that aren’t necessarily rooted in the arts," she said. " Each artist in this exhibit brings together a global exhibition that explores female identity and representation through the lens of contemporary photography. This group of photographers aims to speak to viewers from a myriad of vantage points, uncovering social and personal realities that work to challenge perceptions of what it means to be female, and invite the viewer to consider the consequences of society’s prescribed roles. And even though Photographing the Female, isn’t about female artists per se, but about the female narratives that we are presented with, I believe that it’s crucial that we see the world through the eyes of women as well as men. “

“There’s a reason why initiatives and platforms to support female artists are booming today,” she said. “Historically, women artists have been left out of art history and it is time that this changes. There is a website called, womenphotograph.com. It’s a new resource, which was designed to increase the presence of female narratives in the media. It helps photographers who have female stories to share, to find work. It’s also a resource for people looking to hire them. Initiatives like this do not come out of nowhere but are products of a cultural status quo that requires action.”

That's why she is working on an on-line platform for Photographing the Female, she added.

For those who were unable to attend the show last night, walkthroughs will be available on Thursday, July 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. Other opening times are Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, July 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.photographingthefemale.com.