one, one thousand… Photographs by Debe Arlook: An unconventional documentary and a different kind of love story depicting the impact a rare form of epilepsy has on a mother and son's experiences of life-long care.

“one, one thousand…” is an unconventional documentary and a different kind of love story. It exposes the impact a rare and incurable form of epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome) has on a mother and son's experiences of life-long care. Debe Arlook’s intimate photos depict the inner and outer worlds of the relationship between the artist's nephew and sister.

NEWS:  "one, one thousand..." is winner of the 2022 Critical Mass TOP 50 Award, an international juried photography competition. An exhibition will be held at the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle in Spring, 2023. 

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 the 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 (2022) and Photoluciida’s Critical Mass (2022, 2021, 2022). 

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/

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. 

• Image, above: "Off to Bed," Debe Arlook
• Video: "one one thousand..." a discussion with Debe Arlook and Lori Sandler
• Interview with Debe Arlook and Lori Sandler in the October, 31, 2022, edition of Feature Shoot (email required)
• VIEW the project online