In 2005 the Samuel Johnson Project was launched to bring a new audience and new creative thinking around the Life and work of Dr Samuel Johnson. Peter Walker worked with large numbers of local people in Dr Johnsons place of birth, Lichfield, different groups, schools and institutions in the area were involved, such as: King Edwards High School, Lichfield College Students, Staffordshire Libraries, NHS mental health team, Dr Johnson Museum, The Johnson Society, the project was unique as it brokered new ground in expanding the arts reach in the area.

Beginning with a series of workshops from 2005 – 2009 Peter Walker worked with groups across the region, the project expanded through various stages including exhibitions and sculpture designs. This culminated in a large scale exhibition of all these works in Lichfield College.

The culmination of the Dr Johnson Project led to Lichfield’s first new public sculpture for over 50 years being unveiled on Saturday 18th September. The ceremony saw the Mayor, Cllr Spruce and Peter Barrett, Chairman of the Samuel Johnson Society, officially unveil the artwork. 

Entitled the Formation of Poetry Peter Walker created a 3m long bronze artwork, designed as a tribute to the legacy of Dr Johnson. The Dictionary is at the head of the artwork and pages appear as if flying out of the book, each page with a Poetic line and reference upon it. For example the one page at the foot of the sculpture says “Tread Softly because you tread on my dreams” by W.B. Yeats.

Further to this accomplishment for the City, The Samuel Johnson Tercentenary (Johnson 300) was a Son et Lumiere created as a finale event projected onto the Birthplace of Samuel Johnson Museum in the City.

After much planning, research and preparation the artistic team were delighted to bring this one off bespoke event to the city:
“It is wonderful to be able to present such a work about Lichfield’s most famous son to the people of the city”, said Project Coordinator and artist Peter Walker.

“I would like to thank fellow artists Andy Mckeown and David Harper for their work on the project and their ability to deliver a level of work of the highest standard for this most important event. An event which I hope will be remembered for years to come”.

The event incorporated several elements, from a lantern parade, peel of bells from St Mary’s Bell ringers, and three wonderful performances by Lichfield Cathedral Choir, conducted by Martin Rawles. 
An estimated 1200 people attended the event which demonstrates the appreciation for the visual arts and indeed that people really do care for their city. 

Special thanks must go out to Joanne Wilson and Christopher Moulton of Lichfield City Council who worked closely with the artistic team, and whose understanding of the proposed work made the event such a special occasion.

Lichfield chamber choir performing during the event.

Audio  was completed by David Harper who visited the Birthplace Museum for the final recording session for the September event. The day was arranged to record poems, letters and extracts from Johnsons work formed layers of content for the light and sound performance.

Thanks to Jane Gentles, David Titley, Ken Knowles and Stuart Goodwin who all volunteered to help with the recordings. Ken took on the role of Johnson for a specific section of the dialogue and Stuart kindly agreed to read the narration of Johnson’s life which formed part of the contextual elements of the production. The script was produced collaboratively between Peter Walker with assistance and dramatic input from Lichfield playright David Titley, who has also been of great support and a great source of information throughout the project.