Using "low brow" materials including fiberglass and plastic, he creates
satirical comments about American life. He also works in bronze, and
his images depict modern pop culture including the stereo-typical
American West.
Jimenez was born July 30, 1940, in El Paso,
Texas, and started working with his father in a custom sign shop early
on. There he learned how to form large metal pieces.
Jimenez
studied at the University of Texas, changing his major from
architecture to art, much to the chagrin of his father, who supposedly
did not speak to him for several years. (1997 interview with Jimenez,
Dallas Morning News). After graduation he went to New York City,
where he had his first exhibition in 1969. He moved back to El
Paso in 1972, finding success creating public art and other commissions.
A
major exhibition of his work was held in January/February, 1999 at the
Moody Gallery in Houston, Texas. At the same time, a traveling
exhibition was launched from the Blaffer Gallery at the University of
Houston.
His massive fiberglass sculptures are on display in
parks, museums and other public places around the United States, often
sparking dialogue and controversy.
Luis Jimenez died in a
work-related accident on June 13, 2006, when he and two employees
were hoisting a part of a large sculpture, The Mustang, designated for
the Denver Airport. The artpiece loosened and fell on Jimenez,
who got pinned to steel support and suffered severe trauma to his
leg. Luis Jimenez, Jr. was 65 years old.
Source:
Obituary, Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2006
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