LIU STORIES
Check out what the media is saying about Simon!
Behind The Canvas: From Sticks to Supports
From humble lumber comes some of the most important elements in an artwork and all from the mind, heart, and hands of Simon Liu who has been the art world's best kept secret for 40 plus years. Join art conservator Julian Baumgartner, in his YouTube Series Behind the Canvas, on an exploratory dive into Simon Liu and the 40 years of expertise working with not only Julian but his father as well. Thrilled that PBS has picked up this series through 2028.
January 19, 2026
Re-stretching An Oil Painting with Rajiv Surendra - Visit to Simon Liu (Stretching A Canvas Basics)
We've all seen oil paintings, but how many of us pay attention to what's behind them? Stretching a canvas is a skill that requires technical knowledge that Rajiv finds daunting, so today he visits the best of the best; Simon Liu, who re-sizes one of Rajiv's paintings.
June 23, 2024
The back of a Martin Wong painting unlocks the history of graffiti art | HOW TO SEE
Wong’s “Houston Street,” 1986 is a major work. At eight by thirteen feet and hung to touch the ground, it forms an eerie trompe l'oeil double of the rolling gates that secure shops at night along the block that it is named for. When the painting recently entered MoMA’s collection, its stretcher had to be replaced and conservators and curators had a chance to study something they only had an inkling of: a painting on the back. Read more on MoMA’s website.
We were honored to collaborate with MoMA’s conservation department to construct and stretch this support. Check us out at minute 12:40 constructing the foldable stretcher and stretching it at the museum.
April 16, 2024
Suggested Donation Podcast
Artists Tony Curanaj and Edward Minoff talk art
The boys hang out with legendary painting support craftsman and guru Simon Liu. When it comes to stretched canvas, there is only one person to talk to. We are grateful to Simon for sitting down and recording with us. Simon set us straight on how to properly stretch a canvas and talked shop about all fine painting supports. He backs all of this information up with unassailable logic built on a foundation of a few variables. Super fun conversation - we learned a lot and hope you will too.
December 18, 2024
New York Stories: Crain’s New York Business
Dive into Simon’s origin story with host and publisher Jill Kaplan on the program New York Stories through Crain’s New York Business. We hear about Simon’s schooling, what brought him to New York, and the famous Muppet painting that jump started his stretcher-making business. Included are some key ethos practices that Simon Liu, Inc. is know for!
April 22, 2015