A LOCAL MP who was born with a congenital disability is in the process of completing an acrylic canvass painting of a Venetian gondola in order for it to be displayed during Penistone Arts Week.
Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, was born with a congenital disability which affects all four limbs and has foreshortened arms and legs, with one digit on each hand.
Marie’s mother had had a scan while pregnant - but at the time imaging techniques were not precise enough to display any disabilities and medics did not know what caused it.
When she was a child she missed three years of school because of the critical surgeries she needed, making her feat even more remarkable.
She took A-level art at Penistone Grammar School and was taught by Anne McPake, who has had an ‘important impact’ on Marie and so many people who have grown up in local communities in and around Penistone.
Having gone on to study law at Oxford, Marie - who was elected in 2024 - was the first MP in 100 years to have grown up in and around Penistone and Stocksbridge to go on to represent the constituency.
The painting is of a photograph Marie took over a decade ago when she visited Venice on holiday.
Marie told the Chronicle: “Art has always been a really important way for me to try and enable to see beyond my disability.
“It’s always been a special escape for me - when I had surgeries during my childhood and teenage years, art was something I could do whilst I was off school was recovering.
“I have a huge amount of what you might call northern grit and I won’t take no for an answer.
“I spent weeks in body plaster, from the top of my chest to my ankles - literally mummified alive - recovering from surgery.
“You have to have a huge amount of mental determination just to get through every day.
“I truly believe in the power of art to support our wellbeing.
“You can absolutely take up art at any age.
“I actually first learnt to paint, with watercolours, from my grandma who only learnt to paint herself when she was aged 70.”
Penistone Arts Week is running from March 19 to March 26 with a jam-packed programme of events including the ‘Art in the Windows’ trail across 40 shops and cafes.
“It’s a huge honour to be a part of Penistone Arts Week and to have my painting displayed at Belle Visage,” Marie added.
“I went to school with Vanessa, one of the owners, so it’s fantastic to be involved in such a great local event that brings our communities together.
“I hope the display of talent across Penistone Arts Week will inspire people, who’ve never tried art before, to pick up a paint brush or a pencil.
“I’d really encourage everyone locally to come and support the events - I can’t wait to see the other displays and attend as many events as I can.”
