Hello, I'm Madi de Laszlo

Madaline is a Canterbury based, multi-disciplinary artist studying full-time on UCA's MA course. She is also a freelancing photographer in her spare time as well as a dedicated reader researching the art world and what it has to offer. Madaline has had multiple concepts in the past, stemming from different points of inspiration. Since finding her voice within a small community, her work with sensory art has grown and flourished into a engaging practise. While Madaline has been making her own pieces and trying to establish herself in the art world,  she has also been working with children around the community with special needs. From small classes at scout group meetings to running self funded outreach programs for children and young adults to express themselves through art. 

Sensory art is all about giving kids the chance to explore different textures, colours, and materials in a fun, hands-on way. For children with sensory issues, this kind of play can be especially helpful because it lets them experience new sensations in a safe and enjoyable environment. Simple activities like finger painting, playing with clay, or making art with textured paper can help them get used to different feelings without pressure. These experiences can also support fine motor skills, encourage creativity, and give children a healthy outlet for expressing their emotions. Most importantly, sensory art can boost confidence and make everyday sights, sounds, and textures feel less overwhelming, helping kids feel calmer and more comfortable in their world.

Over the last year Madaline has conducted and co-hosted workshops to help adults ranging from 20-90 as well as children with sensory needs, this has helped them engage more with the people in their community as well as with the art world. Since 1988 children over the age of 14 have had the option to continue their art education or remove it completely. However children with special needs and IPS schools don't have this option there have been judgments passed that because of their "inability" to understand the art they haven't been able to express interest in the same way. As well as being in a separate building to "Normal" children/teens they are excluded from school trips to art galleries and tours of art sights.