Profile: Liron tarka – Real Leather Design Competitions

Liron tarka

Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art

Hey! My name is Liron Tarka, I’m 28 years old. I was born and raised in Israel, a proud member of the Ethiopian community. My parents immigrated as part of the first wave of Ethiopian aliyah, and my identity is deeply rooted in those origins — between tradition and innovation, between emotional silence and a new, personal voice. I was raised in a creative environment. Since childhood, I watched my father paint — I inherited my love for art from him. From a very young age, I found myself drawing endlessly, filled with a deep passion for creation. Art became the language through which I express what words can’t always hold. Throughout my studies, I create from emotion, from the home I grew up in, the culture that shaped me, and the layered experiences that live inside me. In this journey, I’ve come to realize the emotional weight carried by my parents’ immigration to Israel — the heavy and complex path they walked —their lost and how this history shaped our generation, the ones who were born into it. What drives me is the need to uncover what is often silenced — hidden emotions, repressed memories, layered identities. I explore themes of belonging, memory, femininity, Black identity, mens emotion and the tension between rich inner worlds and an external world that seeks simple answers. I create from a place of feeling and vision — professional, bold, rebellious, and at the same time, full of compassion, inspiration, and truth.

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no tears allowed

Category: Accessories

Competitions: International

My graduation project explores the concept of "Nefesh" (soul/psyche) through the lens of Ethiopian masculinity, where emotional expression is often silenced. In traditional Ethiopian culture, vulnerability is rarely spoken aloud. Strength is measured through restraint. My work bridges this silence through garments that blend tailored structure with expressive streetwear, reflecting two generations: the older men who immigrated to Israel in formal dress, and the younger, bolder generation born into Israeli culture. A key element in the project is the notion of carrying — both physical and emotional. This came to life through the design of a leather bag fused with a sleeve, inspired by photographs of the older Ethiopian women in my life. These women were often seen carrying children on their backs or balancing food and heavy loads on their heads. Their strength, both visible and invisible, shaped my understanding of resilience. Through sketches and reflection, I arrived at the idea of a bag that is not a separate accessory, but an inseparable part of the garment — a symbol of the emotional baggage we carry, wanted or not. This design honors the women who bore so much and were often forced to quiet their presence behind the male voice. By placing their strength onto the male body, I aim to blur the boundaries between “ልቤ ዝም ብሎ ተናገረ” “My heart spoke in silence.”