Armed with an Xacto knife and mountains of patience, Japanese artist Gaku turns all kinds of fruits and vegetables into ephemeral works of art.

Inspired by the Japanese traditional food carving art mukimono, Gaku takes fruits or vegetables from the grocery store and carves them into a variety of intriguing patterns, from geometrical designs to traditional motifs and symbols, and even animal models. But apart from the skill and patience required to create these stunning food carvings, the most impressive thing about Gaku is his speed, as many times the artistic process is a race against time to make sure that oxidation doesn’t ruin his artwork. Weh working on apples or other produce that tends to oxidize quickly, he has to finish his designs in just a few minutes and still have time to photograph them.

Photo: Gaku/Instagram

Looking at the impressive portfolio Gaku has amassed on his Instagram alone, it’s almost impossible to believe that he is a self-taught food carving artist.

Asked what happens to the mediums he works with after he finishes carving them, Gaku answered that he simply eats them.

The talented Japanese artist advises aspiring food carvers to hone their skill on bananas, as they are relatively cheap to buy, and they’re delicious, so you’re not really wasting anything even if the artwork doesn’t turn out as planned.

For more exceptional food carvings, check out the awe-inspiring avocado carvings of Daniele Baresi.