So long, farewell

We can’t wait any longer to bring you the bittersweet news, our brilliant illustrator John Shakespeare leaves this space today.

For about 35 years, Shakes has drawn cartoons for this column and its predecessors, where his deft touch, generous wit and unique style was beloved by both readers and even the subjects of his visual takedowns.

Many cartoon subjects lined up to become purchasers: former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has a cartoon of him and wife Vikki Campion hanging in their living room. Ex-defence minister Christopher Pyne has a few, as does defamation silk Sue Chrysanthou, SC.

Customers also included Australia’s richest person and discerning portraiture critic Gina Rinehart, and Qantas, who we hear, used to buy all Shakes’ prints of their executives.

Rinehart was a favourite subject of Shakes as was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and dog Toto. The PM has his own Shakespeare, a cartoon of his proposal to fiancee Jodie Haydon.

“I’ve had so much fun doing CBD, from ANZ’s Mike Smith hiding his meat pies in the attic to Gina mimicking the Nevermind album cover, I’ve had a ball,” Shakes said. “I’ll miss it!”

It goes without saying but we shall say it anyway: we’ll miss Shakes too.