The High Museum of Art in Atlanta is taking a small step towards recognizing street based contemporary art.  While it is very debatable whether KAWS’ work is fine art or massed produced merchandise of pop icons the fact that he got his start in the streets and the High Museum is embracing that is a step forward for Atlanta.  The Exhibit is Feb 18- May 20 2012

Here is the High’s summary of the show:  An influential member of a new generation of street artists who have successfully united commercial enterprises with their artistic practices, KAWS employs his skill and delight as a designer of toys and other objects in his practice as a painter and sculptor. The objects he produces for commercial consumption are in direct dialogue with his art; in fact, he thinks of his t-shirt designs as “drawings.” His new paintings in this exhibition allude to pop culture sources such as Sponge Bob Square Pants, as well as the more obscure work of artist H. C. Westermann, who also drew upon popular cartoon imagery in his work.