That is, until artist Em Riem, fresh from a newly acquired French education, returned home in 2008 and set up Gallery X Em Design.
His gallery can be found at #13 178 Street, on the other side of the Preah Norodom Boulevard, isolated from clustered galleries for tourists clustered on the other side of the street towards the Sisowath Quay.
Finding this gallery is not an easy task.
The somewhat fanciful numbering system, has lead some fans to search for it for more than half a day. But they're not complaining, as the quest leads them to a gallery at the forefront of an emerging young Cambodian art scene, showcasing Em Riem's own work as well as work from other artists who are helping him carve out a rich cultural landscape in their home country.
More:
http://www.ianyanmag.com/2011/09/27/in-cambodia-emerging-artist-memorializes-genocide/
