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Jan Montyn with Thom Gerrard in Morocco

Jan Montyn and Thom Gerrard, Amsterdam and Morocco
In celebration to the turn of the year from 1960 into 1961, the Kolk was host to an enormous party that was joined by hundreds of people. While the party was still in full swing, at 5am three latecomers showed up, two men with a third very handsome young man. The young man immediately caught Jan Montyn's attention. When in return he saw Jan Montyn stand next to a chessboard, he asked whether Jan Montyn would like to play a game. By the time they finished their game the Kolk was empty, except for themselves and the two other men. When the men indicated time had come to go home, the young man informed them that he would not join them. Turning back to Jan Montyn, he asked whether he could stay. Jan Montyn nodded his head and the two men went home.

The young man was still to introduce himself, yet before he could do, he started crying and didn't stop for hours. By the time he regained his strength he introduced himself and told his story. He was a Jew who had run off from an institution. His parents had been in an extermination camp and had returned as completely broken people. He himself had been lodged with another family. His parents just couldn't find ways to cope with the entire situation. Only at the age of 12 the young man had discovered his identity. In the meanwhile he had already grown into a very desperate being.

Jan Montyn and Thom, that was his name, shared their lives for three years. Thom turned out to be very gifted, yet was living life by the day, trying to cope with his enormous trauma. At times Jan Montyn was scared to go home, being afraid that Thom had hurt himself.

After staying together for some time already, due to the primitive life in 'the Kolk', Jan Montyn was admitted to hospital for serious lung problems. Doctors were even fearing his life. Thom couldn't cope with being alone again and ran off to Spain. Against doctor's advice and at his own risk, Jan Montyn left the hospital to look for Thom in Spain. On his way out, the doctor did manage to advise Jan Montyn that a warm country could actually help him to recover from his long problems and to survive. After having borrowed money left and right, Jan Montyn set off for Spain, where he managed to reunite with Thom. The mutual trust was rebuilt and together they set off for Morocco, a journey of a lifetime in those days. They ended up staying in Morocco for a year, a very good year, of which a considerable part with the Berbers. Selling paintings, Jan Montyn and Thom even managed to save quite some money, which allowed them to fly back to the Netherlands. Very tainted and very healthy they returned to Amsterdam.

It still didn't end well. In the year 1965, just about when his art work started selling, Thom chose to commit suicide.

Salernes, Provence region, south of France

Jan Montyn and Elja 1965 -1972

While travelling through Morocco, Jan Montyn met a couple that were living in Salernes in France. After getting acquainted, they offered Jan Montyn one of their ruins they owned. As time hadn't come yet to move to France, Jan Montyn didn't immediately accept the offer. However, after having returned to The Netherlands time did come to leave. With Elja, a lady he had met during an exhibition in Amsterdam, in 1965 Jan Montyn set off for Salernes in the Provence region of France. Together with Elja he occupied the ruin he was given and together they rebuilt, stone by stone, the ruin into a house. The house was named Ras El Ma, which stands for "Father of Sources".

Jan Montyn and Tjia Hien Nio 1975 - TODAY

Jan Montyn with his daughter Carolynne

Carolynne and Tjia Hien Nio