New works by Ben Jackel are making their way to gallery for his upcoming exhibition opening at L.A. Louver on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

Titled “American Imperium,” the exhibition features sculptures created by Jackel over the past 2 years – including the massive axe featured above. 

Carved from wood using axes of various shapes and sizes and then burnished with a layer of graphite, “Legacy” is the largest work on view and measures nearly 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall.

To see how Jackel uses axes to sculpt these monumental forms, click here to watch a short film from 2012 that documents his process.

If you’re interested in seeing more images and videos on the artist, an e-catalogue that surveys the artist’s works from 2008-2014 is now available online.