Our Judges
We are honoured to welcome all judges to our panel and excited for the insight and inspiration they will bring to our young creators.
Zeno Sworder is an award-winning writer, artist, and picture book creator whose work explores themes of family, belonging, and identity through powerful storytelling and evocative illustrations. Passionate about literacy, creativity, and cultural diversity, Zeno brings a unique voice to children’s literature—one that speaks to both the challenges and hopes of young people today.
He is best known for My Strange Shrinking Parents, which was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year 2023, and took home both Best Designed Children’s Picture Book and Cover of the Year at the Australian Book Designers Awards 2023. His debut work, This Small Blue Dot, earned international acclaim with a place on the IBBY Honour List 2024 and was recognised with the CBCA Award for Best New Illustrator and a Notable Book listing in 2021.
Shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2023, Zeno continues to be one of Australia’s most compelling creative voices, inspiring young readers and emerging artists with his thoughtful, visually rich stories.
As our Judge of the Year for IAEA 2025 arts competition, which is part of the International Youth Arts Fun Festival, Zeno brings his deep understanding of storytelling, design, and imagination to support the next generation of artists. His presence is especially meaningful in the context of this year’s theme—“Future Home”—as his work invites us to reflect on family, cultural roots, and the evolving concept of home in an ever-changing world.
Alfred Cheng is a groundbreaking thread artist known for his unique technique of weaving a single black thread across a canvas, connecting points along its edges. His minimalist yet powerful style creates a striking visual experience that challenges how we see materials and meaning in art.
More than just a line, the black thread becomes a symbol—linking elements, creating harmony, and revealing hidden tension. In Alfred’s hands, thread transforms into a tool for exploring identity, power, and the invisible structures that shape our world.
His art invites viewers to reflect on boundaries, connections, and their place within society. By embracing the diversity and complexity of postmodern life, Alfred Cheng’s work encourages us to see the world—and ourselves—through a new lens.
As the Judge of the Year for the IAEA 2025 Arts Competition at the International Youth Arts Fun Festival, Alfred will share his insight into this year’s theme, “Future Home.” Through a live demonstration, he hopes to inspire young artists to reconnect with the purity of the world and reimagine their role within it.
Dr. Ming Wu is a multidisciplinary designer, educator, and researcher whose work bridges architectural design and urban sociology. As Co-Founder and Design Director of Studio W Architects, he leads projects that explore how the built environment shapes—and is shaped by—human experience.
Ming holds a PhD in Architecture and Urban Sociology. At the University of Melbourne, he has served as a researcher, teaching fellow, and studio leader in the Master of Architecture program, with a focus on identity, spatial practice, and social transformation. His professional experience spans both local Melbourne and International design contexts, contributing to a diverse range of projects and collaborations.
With a socially engaged and research-informed design sensibility, Dr. Wu brings a distinctive perspective to the IAEA 2025 Arts Competition. As a judge, he looks forward to encouraging and inspiring young artists as they respond to this year’s theme, “Future Home.”
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Jane Long
Judege of IAEA 2024
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Evelyn Seebacher
Judge of IAEA 2024
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Jye Marshall
Judge of IAEA 2024
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Arabella Wang
Judge of IAEA 2024
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Hankel Bux
Judge of IAEA 2024
