Vincent Routhier, a conceptual artist whose multidisciplinary practice finds its bases in philosophical thinking and a science-based approach, examines the possible complementarity of art and science. Considering translation a creative act, Routhier develops systems that find expression in large geometric drawings, mathematical formulas, and contextual performances. Taking mathematical concepts—the Pythagorean theorem, duplication of the square, or homothety (geometric transformation)—as his starting point, this artist creates drawings using graphite powder. Vincent Routhier was born from a mathematician father and a documentalist mother, in Lyon, France. He lives and works in Montreal, where he currently finishes a master in Fine Arts, intermedia concentration at Concordia University.

In 2009, Sylvie and Simon Blais wanted to commemorate their gallery’s 20th anniversary by making a direct contribution to the community. This led to their creation of the Sylvie and Simon Blais Foundation and the establishment of the Sylvie and Simon Blais Award for Emerging Visual Artists. This award—the only one of its kind in Québec—aims to promote and publicize the work of young artists by providing a student in a Master of Fine Arts program at a Québec university with a scholarship and a professional-level solo exhibition at Galerie Simon Blais, accompanied by a publication. The members of the jury met to select the recipient of the Award on May 16, Vincent Routhier.