Back in the middle of April 2013, Mr. Saori Kashio, an assistant curator from Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (FAAM) in Japan, visited last year's Spectacle: Art & Design Graduation Show 2013, organised by Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This art expert appreciated the capstone installation, titled 'Life of a Pensioner', created by Muhammad Alinormin Hj Omarali, a UBD 2013 alumnus, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Kong Ho and Dr. Martie Geiger-Ho. His thoughtful mixed media installation was created in fulfillment of the Art & Creative Technology module, coupled with Capstone Project, in the spring of 2013. Mr. Kashio invited Alinormin to submit a proposal to participate in the forthcoming 5th Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale (Fukuoka Triennale 2014). In March 2014, FAAM informed Alinormin that he had been selected as one of 40 participating artists for this year's Fukuoka Triennale 2014, which will be held at FAAM from 6 September to 30 November 2014.

The Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale is a well-known highly competitive international art triennale exhibition held every three years to introduce the most promising emerging artists from 21 countries/regions in Asia. It is funded by the continuous research and art exchange programmes of FAAM. The theme of this year's triennale is ‘Panorama of the Futureworld’. The Executive Committee of the 5^th Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale is the main organizer of this year's triennale, which is composed of FAAM, Nishinippon Shimbun, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co. Ltd., Fukuoka City, local communities, universities, international exchange organizations, and cultural institutions. This year's Fukuoka Triennale, also commemorates the 15^th anniversary of the Fukuoka Asian art Museum, so FAAM will present outstanding paintings, sculptures, installation and video works as well as conduct collaborative art making workshops and performance by selected artists from Asia to Fukuoka. The organizer also aims to build this year's Fukuoka Triennale as ‘First – ever in Fukuoka and First Step to the World’ in order to introduce the most promising artists in Asia to nationwide and international audiences.

By participating in this year's Fukuoka Triennale 2014, Alinormin will have the opportunity not only to showcase his art installation in the international art exhibition, but also to work as a cultural ambassador for Brunei Darussalam, while representing UBD and FASS in the international art world. Undoubtedly, Alinormin's achievement as one of 40 participating artists in Asia in the 5th Fukuoka Triennale will help to enhance the visibility of UBD at large. Alinormin will refine his art installation at FASS art studio and will ship it to Fukuoka by 25 August 2014. Also, he will set up his installation at FAAM in the early of September 2014 and attend the opening ceremony of the 5th Fukuoka Triennale in Fukuoka, Japan, to network with other 40 emerging artists from Asia.

Muhammad Alinormin Hj Omarali. Life of a Pensioner. 2013. (section view). Mixed media installation, 8 by 8 sq. ft

Muhammad Alinormin Hj Omarali. Life of a Pensioner. 2013. Mixed media installation, 8 by 8 sq. ft.