CDA is a contemporary art gallery in Seoul with a simple starting point. "I wished there were more galleries bringing different voices and perspectives into the art market," says director Hyuncheol Moon.

Today CDA runs two spaces, CDA Seongsu and CDA Nonhyeon, with a programme that moves from color field abstraction to character-driven and surreal figurative painting, held together by one consistent eye.

HyunCheol Moon, CDA Director

#### From Design Shows to a Gallery

Moon didn't start in fine art. He began his career organizing commercial exhibitions of graphic design and illustration, and occasionally worked with artists from subcultures such as graffiti and art toys.

At the time, work like this rarely appeared in conventional gallery exhibitions. "So I thought, why not create a gallery that could naturally bring these different forms of artistic expression into the conversation? That's how CDA began."

#### A Taste for Sophisticated Painting

"I like sophisticated paintings," Moon says. "It's difficult to define exactly what makes something sophisticated, but I think you can get a sense of my taste by looking at our past exhibitions."

What he looks for is a balance between contemporary sensibility, visual appeal and the ideas behind the work. Styles can change completely from one month to the next, but each show should feel connected.

He puts it in kitchen terms: there is something admirable about mastering one dish, "but I'd rather be someone who can cook a variety of dishes well." Every exhibition starts with his own interests, then he thinks carefully about how to present it so visitors can engage with the work naturally.

CDA Gallery

#### Toward the White Cube

*Toward the White Cube* opened CDA's second space, CDA Nonhyeon, and was a statement about rethinking how galleries show work and treat their visitors. A long table and chairs ran across the exhibition space.

"It was a simple gesture, but it reflected something I believe is important: a gallery should not only respect the artworks, but also make the people who come to experience them feel respected and welcomed."

Installation view of Toward the White Cube at CDA Nonhyeon

CDA Gallery Toward the White Cube 01

CDA Gallery Toward the White Cube 04

#### Ptych Ptych Ptych

This year CDA also presented *Ptych Ptych Ptych*, a three-part exhibition series built around diptychs and triptychs. It pushed participating artists to step outside their usual way of working and try new formats, and it brought more painting-focused artists into CDA's programme.

Installation view of Ptych Ptych Ptych, a diptych and triptych exhibition series at CDA Gallery

CDA Gallery Ptych Ptych Ptych part 1

Installation view of Ptych Ptych Ptych part three at CDA Gallery

CDA Gallery Ptych Ptych Ptych part 3

SooIn Ahn answered the diptych format with *Ascending Forms* and *Where Forms Once Stood*, two works that seem to share one terrain while each holds its own scene.

#### Two Spaces, and a Base in Jakarta

Moon's current challenge is giving CDA Seongsu and CDA Nonhyeon their own identities. "I don't see much reason to operate two galleries if they're going to offer exactly the same experience." Even with the same artist, he wants each space to show something different.

The gallery is also looking south. After two consecutive years at Art Jakarta, CDA sees exciting possibilities in Indonesia and hopes to make Jakarta an important base in Southeast Asia. From next year, the plan is to go beyond art fairs, with exhibitions and collaborative projects alongside the local art scene.

CDA Gallery Art Jakarta 2026 booth

**Discover CDA Gallery on [Cohart](https://www.cohart.com/cdagallery.kr/profile) and follow the gallery on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cdagallery.kr/).**

CDA Gallery: Different voices, one sensibility, with an installation view of Toward the White Cube at CDA Nonhyeon

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How Seoul's CDA Gallery brings graphic design, character painting and abstraction together, and why it is now looking to Jakarta.

CDA Gallery: Different Voices, One Sensibility

HyunCheol Moon, CDA Director

CDA Gallery

Toward the White Cube, the opening exhibition of CDA Nonhyeon

Toward the White Cube at CDA Nonhyeon

Ptych Ptych Ptych, part one

Ptych Ptych Ptych, part three

CDA at Art Jakarta 2026. Photo: @thepreviewartfair

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