Award-winning Tasmanian cartoonist Jon Kudelka has died peacefully at his South Hobart home, aged 53.
His family announced his death on social media on Monday, saying Kudelka had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, since his diagnosis in early 2024.
They said he was surrounded by family and friends in his final moments on Sunday.
“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,” his wife Margaret said.
Kudelka’s career spanned more than three decades, beginning at the Hobart Mercury in 1993. He went on to draw cartoons for The Australian for 20 years and later worked for The Saturday Paper.
His sharp political commentary earned him two Walkley Awards and he was twice named the Museum of Australian Democracy’s Cartoonist of the Year.
“He loved his family, friends, making art in many forms, and firmly calling out political and anti-science bullsh*t with his typically dry wit and compassion,” his wife said.
Kudelka faced his illness with characteristic humour.
“In the past two years, he was heard many times to say, ironically, ‘good times’,” the family said.
He is survived by his wife, teenage children Kay and Oskar, and sister Liesl.
“Jon believed in showing up fully for life and embracing humour even in the hardest of times,” the family said.
“Jon’s presence remains in the love he gave and the lives he touched. He will always be with us.”
Funeral details are yet to be announced.
The family has requested donations in Kudelka’s memory to The Bob Brown Foundation, Canteen Australia or The Menzies Institute for Medical Research instead of flowers.
