He left the voice of a heritage, a culture. Luis Jiménez, age 65, born in El Paso, Texas, the son of a Mexican immigrant, died June 13 after an accident while working on an art piece at his studio in Hondo, New Mexico.
Photo: 'Fiesta Jarabe' by Luis Jiménez is near UNM's Popejoy Hall.
Studying art on both sides of the border throughout his youth, Jiménez developed an artistically renowned style unique to the Southwest.
Jiménez’ pieces are well recognized, including “Fiesta Jarabe,” a colorful sculpture on UNM’s campus near Popejoy Hall. Pieces such as the wild “Vaquero” sculpture, which adorns the entrance to the Smithsonian Art Museum in Washington, D.C., are celebrated nationwide.