Walkley Award-winning cartoonist Jon Kudelka has died in Hobart after a two‑year battle with an aggressive brain tumour.

The 53‑year‑old father of two passed away on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones, after being diagnosed with stage‑four glioblastoma.

Kudelka is survived by his wife Margaret and their teenage children, Kay and Oskar.

He was adored by readers, colleagues and even the politicians he “relentlessly skewered” throughout his three‑decade career.

“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,” on online tribute read.

“He loved his family, friends, making art in many forms, and firmly calling out political and anti‑science bulls*** 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.”

Kudelka’s work appeared in the Hobart Mercury, The Australian and The Saturday Paper, earning him a reputation as one of the nation’s sharpest political observers.

Across his career he collected some of the industry’s highest honours, including two Walkley Awards for Best Cartoon (2008 and 2018), the 2008 ACA Stanley Award for Best Political Cartoonist, the National Museum of Australia’s Cartoonist of the Year in 2010, the 2018 News Award for Best Cartoonist and the 2019 Kennedy Award for Best Cartoon.

He and Margaret would have celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary later this month.

His family are asking for donations to Bob Brown Foundation, Canteen Australia or the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, instead of flowers.