It was an idea that felt like a small stroke of genius and quite a lot of madness. For our photographers’ portraits for this year’s Power issue, we commissioned the Financial Review’s incomparable cartoonist David Rowe to draw the backdrops. These were then printed onto fabric and strung up in locations around Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Australia’s most powerful would then be invited to step into Rowe’s world, forming a tableau vivant of wrinkled figures, follies and inflation dragons.

We thought our power listers might be reluctant to participate. Turns out, they loved it, more or less. Many asked to keep the backdrops. (Please hashtag @afrmag on Insta when you post that new doona cover!) One power lister plans to use his Rowe cartoon to dramatic effect at his upcoming 60th birthday.