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Jon Kudelka was diagnosed with glioblastoma in early 2024 and underwent treatment for two years. (ABC News)

Jon Kudelka died in Hobart on Sunday, aged 53, his family has announced in a post on social media.

Kudelka was a Walkley-winning cartoonist and illustrator who started drawing cartoons for the Hobart Mercury newspaper in 1993.

Kudelka is survived by his wife and teenage children.

Link copiedShareShare articleAward-winning Tasmanian cartoonist Jon Kudelka has died.

In a post on social media, his family said Kudelka, who drew cartoons for the Hobart Mercury, The Australian and The Saturday Paper, died in Hobart on Sunday, aged 53.

Kudelka was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in early 2024.

"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)," a post on the Kudelka Shop's website reads.

Jon Kudelka was recognised for his cartooning with two Walkley Awards. (Facebook: Kudelka)

Host of Talking Pictures on ABC Insiders Mike Bowers said it was a sad day for Australian cartooning.

"We've lost a national treasure," Mr Bowers told ABC Radio Hobart Afternoons.

"He was a genuinely decent human being … who cared about so many issues and I just loved his cartooning.

"His cartoons were LOL — you had to laugh at them, and the gag in his cartoons was always superb, and he had a lovely economic drawing style that belied the seriousness of the cartoon."

Kudelka's 2016 cartoon about Pauline Hanson's return to federal politics. (Jon Kudelka)

Kudelka also started a tongue-in-cheek anti-tourism campaign, selling merchandise with the slogan, "Tasmania is awful, don't come here".

Mr Bowers said he had many fond memories of conversations he had over the years with Kudelka.

He said Kudelka's last appearance on Talking Pictures was shot at his store in Hobart at a time when Kudelka was struggling with his health.

Mike Bowers (left) says he has many fond memories of conversations he's had with Jon Kudelka (right). (ABC News: Maren Preuss)

"He managed to steel himself to do one final appearance on Talking Pictures [in 2024] and our planes were cancelled and we were stuck in Hobart overnight, which Jon thought was absolutely hilarious.

"And it'll be my endearing memory of him because I was saying to him, 'well, you're always saying it's awful, don't come here and I can see why now'.

"And he thought this was very, very funny and I'll remember and treasure that last time he [appeared in the segment], and it was a struggle to get up and do it, and I really appreciate it," Mr Bowers said.

Jon Kudelka pictured during a segment with Mike Bowers on ABC's Insiders. (ABC)

Kudelka won two Walkley awards and has been the Museum of Australian Democracy's Cartoonist of the Year twice.

He started drawing cartoons for the Hobart Mercury in 1993. He also drew cartoons for the Australian for 20 years, and later for the Saturday Paper.

Kudelka and his wife Margaret, also an artist, opened a shop in Hobart's Salamanca Arts Centre selling his artwork.

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

"Jon's presence remains in the love he gave and the lives he touched. He will always be with us," the post reads.

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