Luis Jiménez (1940-2006)

Sculptor Luis Jiménez, known for his grand works of art, left this world on Tuesday because of an accident in his Hondo, New Mexico studio. He was working on a commissioned fiberglass piece for the Denver airport.

Houstonians may know him best for Vaquero, which is a tribute to cowboys that welcomes visitors to Moody Park. He was also a professor of painting and sculpture at the University of Houston.

Born in El Paso, TX, Jiménez received a Bachelor of Arts in art and architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by work at the Autonomous National University in Mexico City. He has works represented in many institutions including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, in New York.

Photo: Ellis Vener