Luis Jiménez: American Dream

Matthew Marks Gallery Los Angeles · Hollywood

Exhibition on view: Sep 20, 2025 - Nov 8, 2025

American Dream is Luis Jiménez's the first solo exhibition of Jiménez’s work in Los Angeles in over forty years. The show features fourteen sculptures, paintings, and drawings from 1968 to 1997.

Celebrated for his bold fiberglass sculptures and vibrant Pop-inspired imagery, Jiménez explored themes of identity, labor, and the American West through a Chicano lens. Works like American Dream, El Filo, and Rodeo Queen reflect his dynamic fusion of cultural critique and personal history. His work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial, MoMA, LACMA, and more, and continues to resonate for its power, exuberance, and political edge.

Artist

Luis Jiménez

Luis Jiménez (1940–2006) was a groundbreaking Mexican-American artist best known for his large-scale fiberglass sculptures that fuse vibrant color, pop culture, and social commentary. Born in El Paso, Texas, and trained in both the U.S. and Mexico, Jiménez brought Chicano identity and working-class narratives to the forefront of contemporary art. His subjects—cowboys, lowriders, migrant workers—challenged myths of the American West and celebrated Latino heritage. Using industrial materials and a bold visual language, his work was both accessible and politically charged. Jiménez exhibited widely, including at MoMA, LACMA, and the Whitney Biennial, and remains a vital figure in American art history.