Walkley-winning newspaper cartoonist Jon Kudelka has lost his brave battle with an inoperable brain tumour.
The father-of-two, 53, died surrounded by family and friends in Hobart on Sunday, two years after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
He is survived by his two teenage children and wife Margaret, who penned an emotional tribute on Monday, just weeks shy of their 21st wedding anniversary later this month.
‘Jon was deeply loved and admired by many, including fellow Tasmanians, the legions of fans of his inimitable art, countless newspaper readers over 30 years, and even by the politicians he relentlessly skewered in his award-winning cartoons (many of whom have his work on their walls),’ she wrote.
‘He loved his family, friends, making art in many forms, and firmly calling out political and anti-science bulls**t with his typically dry wit and compassion.
‘Jon believed in showing up fully for life and embracing humour even in the hardest of times. In the past two years, he was heard many times to say, ironically, ‘good times’.
‘Jon’s presence remains in the love he gave and the lives he touched. He will always be with us.’
Born in Burnie in Tasmania’s north, Mr Kudelka sold his first cartoon at the age of nine.
Award-winning newspaper cartoonist Jon Kudelka has lost his brave cancer with brain cancer
The high-profile cartoonist has been remembered for calling out political and anti-science bulls**t with dry wit and compassion
One of his most memorable cartoons was One National leader Pauline Hanson’s return to politics in 2016
He went on to become a political cartoonist for the Hobart Mercury, The Australian and The Saturday Paper in a decorated career that spanned more than three decades.
Mr Kudelka won two Walkleys for his cartoons, along with countless Kennedy, Stanley and News awards.
Politicians and television presenters led the outpouring of tributes.
‘Vale to one of the true GOATs of politics, the brilliant, scathing, wiley and wry Jon Kudelka. What a huge loss to all who loved him,’ Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor wrote.
Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters added: ‘A brilliant artist who knew the power of comedy in holding truth to power, and effecting change. His work showed a genuine and profound love for people and nature – often funny, often heartbreaking, but always incisive. Australia has lost a great today.’
Ten News presenter Hugh Riminton wrote: ‘Legendary cartoonist and mischief-maker Jon Kudelka has died, at 53. Very sad news.’
One of Mr Kudelka’s final works was an article penned for the Saturday Paper following his cancer diagnosis.
‘The noble art of political cartooning is a profession that isn’t terribly important in the scheme of things, but doing it well is a lot harder than it looks,” he wrote.
‘If you do try to do the job properly, then it becomes a bit more like threading a needle at gunpoint, which I probably flatter myself in claiming I occasionally succeeded at … The downside to all this effort is that, disappointingly, none of your finely crafted little sketches ever bring down the government, even if they absolutely had it coming.’
