Ritual of Exchange explores the community that gathers around the weekly livestock auction at Thame in Oxfordshire. Bringing together farmers, auctioneers, buyers, sellers and livestock handlers, the auction is more than a place of trade; it is a meeting point where relationships are maintained, knowledge is shared and traditions are passed from one generation to the next.

At the centre of the project is the sale ring, where trust, experience and reputation are expressed through familiar rituals that have endured over time. While livestock changes ownership, the auction also facilitates an exchange of stories, expertise and social connection, reinforcing the community at its heart.

Ritual of Exchange presents the livestock auction as both a working environment and a social institution, exploring how shared practices and weekly gatherings continue to shape rural life.