Artwork copyright Ilse Kilian-Tan. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2014.

Artwork copyright Ilse Kilian-Tan. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2018.

Untitled, Date unknown

Ilse Kilian-Tan
German (born 1928)

Location: Office of the Washington State Auditor, Olympia

About the Artwork

Spokane-based artist Ilse Kilian-Tan created this expressive textile. The hand-woven tassels vary in colors and textures. The layers evoke the natural landscape and forms.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Office of the Washington State Auditor.

About the Artist

Spokane, Eastern Washington-based textile artist Ilse Kilian-Tan weaves elaborate abstracted wall hangings inspired by nature. She is also a painter and writer.
Kilian-Tan was born and grew up in East Germany. She moved to the United States in the 1960s and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in literature and foreign languages. She also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, where she taught foreign languages for many years.