
The sketch for the coat of arms
concept is shown here on a
sticky note that survived a
brainstorming session. It
shows the basic arrangement
of shield and flanked figures
associated with heraldic
emblems.
Ashton envisioned a contem-
porary coat of arms derived, in
part, from the conservative
swing of Australian politics
and the enforcement of
national identity through such
a heraldic device in govern-
ment communications.
Ashton’s research in this vein
unearthed a multitude of sym-
bolic components with which
to experiment: ribbons; shield
forms, escutcheons, and
chevrons; animals of power,
such as the ram, deer, and
lion; vines and plants of mysti-
cal potency; weaponry; ...