 Digital graphics have evolved from the era of sharply defined square pixels to ever smoother and more refined imagery. However, from the perspective of pixel art, this transformation can be seen as a process that diminishes the unique charm of the pixel itself. With this in mind, this piece preserves traces of pixels like sculpted fragments, serving as the outcome of an artistic exploration into the distinctive expressive possibilities that only pixel art can offer.

CDA is a gallery stands for ‘Creative’, ‘Discovery’, and ‘Appreciation’. The gallery mainly presents creative activities in various fields of contemporary visual arts in the form of exhibitions. CDA exhibition mainly focuses on paintings but subjects to all kinds of genres and mediums such as sculpture, prints, photography, animation, and video. The form of the exhibitions is also balanced, with a mix of solo and group exhibitions, as well as art fairs and collaborative projects. We sincerely hope that our activities will serve as a spark for the realization of meaningful projects for creators(artists) and an opportunity for audiences to expand their inspiration and collecting.

Scattered Memories 10

Digital graphics have evolved from the era of sharply defined square pixels to ever smoother and more refined imagery. However, from the perspective of pixel art, this transformation can be seen as a process that diminishes the unique charm of the pixel itself. With this in mind, this piece preserves traces of pixels like sculpted fragments, serving as the outcome of an artistic exploration into the distinctive expressive possibilities that only pixel art can offer.

Scattered Memories 3

Ku Ja-Young is a painter whose practice explores the expansion of space and form, developed through his work between Korea and the United States. The visual language shaped by his international exhibitions and residency experiences continues to unfold within his works.

Since its establishment in 1994, Gallery Simon has been committed to presenting exhibitions that reflect the evolving currents of contemporary art. The gallery hosts solo exhibitions by its represented artists—such as Sangkyoon Noh, Hyungkyung Bae, Airan Kang, Sunmyoung Choi, Sowon Kwon, Joohyun Kim, Shinil Kim, Jayoung Ku, Changwon Lee, Taii Kim and Jieun Kim—alongside group exhibitions including "Arrival", which introduces emerging artists active in both local and international scenes, "Digital Transitions", showcasing leading global media artworks, and curated projects led by invited curators.

Through its exhibitions, Gallery Simon aims to illuminate each artist’s creative vision, artistic integrity, and reflections of the contemporary moment while exploring new aesthetic approaches within the field of contemporary art. The gallery also works to elevate the presence of Korean contemporary art by maintaining active collaborations with major museums and galleries worldwide and by supporting artists with strong potential and distinct voices.

Gallery Simon

Walker

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Ku Ja-Young is a painter whose practice explores the expansion of space and form, developed through his work between Korea and the United States. The visual language shaped by his international exhibitions and residency experiences continues to unfold within his works.

Green Forest

The Moon, long regarded as a mysterious presence, is depicted here through the artist's personal perspective, expressed via pixels. The piece explores the concept of enclosing the Moon within a circular canvas, a thoughtful approach that aims to highlight its enigmatic beauty. Through this unique rendering, the artist offers a fresh interpretation of the Moon, using the medium of pixels to convey a sense of wonder and depth.

The Grand Little Stone 1

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The Grand Little Stone 3

The Grand Little Stone 2

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This piece began as a recollection of a day spent walking with the artist’s wife beneath the long, lingering hues of dusk. Reconstructing a single photograph that evokes the warmth of that moment, the work expands upon the artist’s practice of capturing life’s small, fleeting instances through digital art. In doing so, it seeks to express these memories on a grander scale, preserving the beauty of emotions and moments that remain timeless despite the passage of time.

Warmly Remembered Moments

Blue Tree

This piece was born from the artist's desire to express a night sky akin to the sea—calm, yet vast and profound. Drawing inspiration from the music of DJ Okawari and Nujabes, which the artist often listens to during his work, the piece seeks to capture the unique atmosphere conveyed by their sounds. The result is a work imbued with a deep and rich mood, reflecting the artist’s attempt to encapsulate the emotional depth and resonance evoked by the music.

Dark Blue Sea

The Grand Little Stone 4

This piece originates from an accidental glitch encountered during the pixel art creation process. Traditionally, pixels are expected to be symmetrical, with clearly defined front and side perspectives. However, this work challenges that convention, seeking to expand the boundaries of pixel art expression. Despite its distorted forms, the piece retains a deep affection for the artist’s muse—‘Moha, the cat from home.’ Embracing unexpected transformations, it explores new possibilities within the realm of pixel art while celebrating the unique beauty that emerges from serendipity.

The Same ‘Moha’ 3

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Rock in Red

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Artist JaeBum Joo is a leading figure in the realm of pixel art in South Korea, garnering international acclaim for his distinctive vision. He has collaborated with an array of prestigious global brands, including Google, Starbucks, Nexon, Gentle Monster, Adobe, Uniqlo, Hypebeast, and entertainment giants such as SM, YG, and JYP. Through these partnerships, he has firmly established himself as a singular force in the world of illustration, all while pursuing his personal artistic endeavours with unwavering curiosity and innovation.

His work is deeply rooted in personal experience and perception. Having discovered his artistic identity through the 8-bit graphics of the cartoons and animations he grew up with, he has seamlessly woven nostalgia with contemporary technology to cultivate a style uniquely his own. For him, pixels are not merely a nod to retro aesthetics; they serve as a bridge between digital interfaces—such as animation and gaming—and the language of traditional painting, unlocking new dimensions of expression. In his hands, pixels transcend their conventional role as the smallest unit of a screen, becoming colour, form, and a sensory experience in their own right.

Contemporary

Ku, Ja-Young(1969) studied B.F.A and M.F.A Painting at Seoul National University and received MFA, New Forms at Pratt Institute in NY, USA. The artist has worked as a visiting artist at Brigham Young University in Utah in 2001, Afterward being at Art Omi International Artist’s Residency in Omi, New York in 2001, by establishing himself as an international artist. Ku was invited to numerous solo exhibitions and group exhibitions at prominent art museums and galleries in the world, including Witworth Art Gallery, Manchester, England; Arts Center Nabi, Korea; Carrillo Gil Museum, Mexico
City, Mexico and Krakow Triennial Print Exhibition, Krakow, Poland.

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