The farming community in Orkney are currently the focus for the year-long project, Art & Agriculture, and a new exhibition of work by Artist in Residence Rebecca Marr at the Orkney Auction Mart marks the first public event in what looks to be a busy year.

BBC Scotland's agricultural series ‘Landward’ were at the mart to preview the exhibition for an upcoming programme following the progress of the project that is due to be screened in early June. The presenter of the popular TV series, Euan Macilraith, shadowed Rebecca over two days around the county, including a visit to Colin Davidson at Skaill to see his fine Aberdeen Angus herd.

The exhibition at the mart is one of numerous projects that Rebecca has been developing in collaboration with the farming community, with help of the Pier Arts Centre and Orkney Auction Mart.

Fascinated by the subtle and discreet communication between bidder and auctioneer, Rebecca wanted to use photography to explore the language of bidding. Working in black and white on an old medium format camera, she set up an outdoor studio at the mart. On show are the first twelve farmers to agree to share their sign language.

The gestures range from a slightly raised eyebrow to a finger resting on a cheek, a stare straight to the camera or a look away, each nod and wink carrying the same meaning ‘I want to buy that animal’. Private signals in a public space.

The backgrounds of the photographs have been painted out in white thick paint, Rebecca hopes this will help focus in on the bidding actions, ‘I wanted to capture a moment that was passing me by in the ring, slow it down and have a good look’.

Rob Crichton, manager at Orkney Auction Mart, commented, ‘The subject of the communication link between bidder and auctioneer is an interesting topic for an artistic study. So much can be said in a simple, discreet, gesture. The 'language' is often secretive and Rebecca has had to break down barriers to deliver this exhibition.’

Andrew Parkinson, Exhibitions Officer at the Pier Arts Centre added, ‘We are really pleased with the way this twelve month project is progressing.

‘Working closely with the mart has been a real advantage and has allowed Rebecca to ‘get under the skin’ of the farming community. I know that she is working on a number of other projects with farmers across Orkney and I look forward to hearing responses to her current exhibition.’

The portraits of bidding farmers can also be found on mugs at the mart café, ensuring that in one way the exhibition continues after the work comes off the walls - and gets the art into the hands of the farmers, quite literally.

Rebecca has been distributing cameras to farmers and plans to mount an exhibition of the resultant images, ‘I have left it entirely open in terms of what the farmers will photograph, I didn’t want to determine the outcome, that is up to the farmers themselves’.

The surprising collaboration between the Pier Arts Centre and Orkney Auction Mart is part of Highland 2007 and the culture being celebrated here is Agriculture. Also supported by the Scottish Arts Council and Leader +, the project will run until December.

The exhibition, ‘Bidding Gestures - private signals in a public place’ will be on display in the foyer of the Orkney Auction Mart until the end of May.