"one, one thousand..."
Photographs by Debe Arlook
“one, one thousand…” is a love story and an unconventional documentary exposing the impact a rare and incurable form of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome) has on the artist’s sister and nephew’s experiences of life-long care. Debe Arlook’s intimate photographs, accompanied by her sister’s writings, reveal the inner and outer worlds of a caregiver and the one being cared for.
About Debe Arlook
Debe Arlook is a visual artist based in Santa Monica, California. She received a B.A. in film and media and a minor in psychology from American University in Washington D.C. Her work is exhibited nationally and internationally including Lishui Art Museum, Museum of Art and History Lancaster, Griffin Museum of Photography, Center for Fine Art Photography, and the San Diego Art Institute. Recognition for her work includes the CENTER Social Award Honorable Mention (2022) and Critical Mass Finalist (2020, 2021).
Using diverse photographic styles and processes, Arlook’s portfolio is a combination of straight photography and conceptual work. Her fascination with one’s relationship to self, others, and the natural world is the throughline in all her projects. Her studies in filmmaking, spiritual growth, and psychology inform her work. Arlook is an instructor at the Los Angeles Center of Photography; advisor with Pasadena Photography Arts; plus contributing editor and resource manager for the PhotoBook Journal. She founded Arlook Printing Services in 2016.
Learn more at https://www.debearlookphotography.com/
About Lori Sandler
Lori Sandler is a writer, life coach and devoted caregiver of her adult son, David. David has autism and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a rare type of epilepsy that is difficult to control and causes severe neurological impairment. In the early 2000’s, the intensity of David’s condition and the challenges of his care spurred Lori onto a path of personal growth and spiritual inquiry. In her words, “The lessons of surrender, trust, compassion, self-knowledge and levity have been the greatest gifts I have received from walking this path with him.” Sharing these gifts with others, she now coaches and leads support groups for parents of challenged children.
Learn more at https://www.lorisandler.com
Acknowledgements:
We thank Jeff Lambson at the Emmanuel Gallery for introducing us to Debe Arlook, David Weil for his curatorial and technical assistance, the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming for their generous support, and Lori and David for their willingness to share their lives and stories.