Jimenez Uses "low brow" materials including fiberglass and plastic to create 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. 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.