AN exhibition by an award-winning photographer focussing on disappearing colonial architecture has opened to the public.

Film-maker Frederique Cifuentes’ unique view of the architecture of Sudan will be on display at the Oriental Museum in Durham City starting this month.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Disappearing Heritage of Sudan, 1820-1956’ is the result of an eight-year long research project showing the colonial architecture of the country and its complex inter-relationships between the residents of Sudan and their built heritage, drawing closely upon the letters, records and images of colonial-era Sudan held by Durham University’s own Sudan Archive.

A screening of Cifuentes’ documentary ‘The Jews and the Longest Kiss in History’ will also be shown on April 27 with a questions and answers session with Cifuentes held afterwards.

Museum curator Craig Barclay said: "We are hugely excited to have the chance to show Frederique Cifuentes’ work and to showcase a wonderful photographic record of a nation, its buildings and its people.

"It will offer a different way of looking at imperial history. Frederique’s experience of Sudan is without parallel."

In addition, the museum will also be hosting a selection of talks and presentations by experts on Sudan including Prof Robin Cormack on the construction of Khartoum’s Anglican Cathedral, Dr Chris Vaughan on images of Darfur and Dr Cherry Leonardi on South Sudan.

The exhibition runs until April 30 and is open from 10am to 5pm each weekday and from noon to 5pm on weekends. Admission to the museum is £1.50 for adults, 75p for children and the over 60s and free for students and the under fives.

For further information, please visit www.durham.ac.uk/orientalmuseum or call 0191-334-5694.