- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Christopher Michael Dorosz
San Francisco, California, United States of America
Grant of Arms
June 20, 2008
Vol. V, p. 306
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Paly Sable and Argent, a pile throughout issuant from the sinister base Argent;
Crest
A miniature Schnauzer sejant Sable winged Argent holding in its mouth three paint brushes Sable their ferrules Argent;
Motto
MOVE FORWARD, LOOK BACKWARDS;
Symbolism
Arms
The background symbolizes the dense forests of the Ukraine, the homeland of the Dorosz family. The wedge shape implies a pathway in perspective.
Crest
The terrier holding paint brushes serves as a mascot for Mr. Dorosz’s art practice as a painter, and the breed relates to the Swiss-German origins of the Wengers, the family of Mr. Dorosz’s paternal grandmother. The wings refer to the Pollexfens, Mr. Dorosz’s mother’s family. In the poem “In Memory of Alfred Pollexfen”, W.B. Yeats refers to the deaths of William and Elizabeth Pollexfen, relatives of both the poet and of Mr. Dorosz, and the poem closes with a mention of a “visionary white sea-bird”.
Motto
MOVE FORWARD, LOOK BACKWARDS is a tenet that Mr. Dorosz uses in his personal life and in his art practice.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 22, 2008, in Volume 142, page 2984 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Christopher Dorosz, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual