Helen Sebidi's work has been described as "overtly energetic, dramatic and unafraid." This woman has stood tall her entire life so far, and has not let any circumstances hold her back. She has driven herself to achieve the honour of becoming an artist in her own right. It was a need that turned into a reality. This accounts for the fame she was awarded. As a female black South African artist, Sebidi was the first of her kind to make a successful living in the art world. Today, with the advent of democracy, black artists enjoy the same freedom as other artists in South Africa, painting what they wish and being accepted on the merit of their work. The acknowledgement of black artists comes at a time when the black middle class can afford to buy black art. Sebidi's work is very high up on these charts and this shows that she is receiving the respect and recognition she deserves.