MoAD and the Courtyard Cafe are open. There may be building works during your visit. Learn more

Behind the Lines

Political Cartoonist of the Year 2023

Fiona Katauskashas won Political Cartoonist of the Year in 2023 for her fresh ink and watercolour pictures that gently draw the viewer into her witty pieces of social commentary.

Katauskas, a Sydney-based Guardian cartoonist, has been honing her craft since she entered the field of political cartooning in 1997. This year, Katauskas's cartoons have brought humour and levity to some of the most urgent and daunting issues Australians are currently facing, such as the existential threat of climate change and the current cost-of-living crisis. Her cartoons stand out for regularly depicting ordinary characters, not just political figures, a feature that makes her sketches eminently relatable.

Two panels entitled 'A Brief history of talking about the weather'. First panel, 'Then...', shows two people having a conversation. Second panel, 'Now', the same two people in distress hold up their phones.

Small Talk/Big Issue

Fiona Katauskas, The Guardian Australia,

A mother and son arrive at a 'Support group'. There are a group of people sitting in a circle in the room, one says, 'Yes, this is for the families of MPs who've left politics in order to spend more time with them'.

Won't Somebody Think of the Children?

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

Two people look up at a group of cloaked horsemen, one says 'I liked it so much better when there were only four of them...' The horseman are named: Death, War, Famine, Conquest, Plague, Climate Change, and AI.

Horses for Courses

Fiona Katauskas, The Guardian Australia,

Entitled 'Life imitates art', a woman lying down covered with paper, says 'Everything, everywhere all at once...'

No Hollywood Ending

Fiona Katauskas, The Echidna,

You may also be interested in...

1999: Republic referendum

1999: Republic referendum

In 1999 Australia voted no to replacing the Queen as our head of state with a president.

How to vote in Australia

How to vote in Australia

Your guide to voting in Australian elections.

Become a tour venue

Become a tour venue

We love talking to new venues about hosting our Behind the Lines political cartoon exhibition.

1928: State debts

1928: State debts

The 1928 referendum asked Australians to change the way finances were managed by the Commonwealth and states.

Democracy

Democracy

How it works, why it matters and the power of your role in it.

Collection

Collection

Our collection captures the ideas, movements, people and events of Australian democracy.