- The Governor General of Canada
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Joseph Frederick Laevens
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
May 20, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 501
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Blazon
Arms
Sable a fess cotised on the lower edge Or, overall a triangle point in chief counterchanged all between in dexter chief a square Or and in base a bezant;
Crest
A polar bear passant Argent;
Motto
FREEDOM;
Symbolism
Arms
Black was chosen to indicate the absence of colour and the totality of all paint colours. Gold, an incorruptible metal and a transcendent colour, is emblematic of the artist’s creativity and creation. The forms were chosen to represent the essential shapes needed for art, indicating Mr. Laevens’ profession as an artist and the fact that he is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design (being the first in his family to have graduated from a post-secondary educational institution).
Crest
The polar bear was inspired by a favourite sculpture of Mr. Laevens’, Ours blanc by François Pompon (1855-1933).
Motto
FREEDOM was chosen by Mr. Laevens as a reference to the spirit of independence that motivated his ancestors.