In "I Shine", Liu turns inward to examine the psychological cost of visibility. Red, spike-like strokes radiate from the figure’s body, suggesting a form of light that is sharp and defensive rather than warm or benevolent. This aggressive luminosity becomes a metaphor for artistic recognition itself. While success brings visibility and validation, it also invites scrutiny, expectation, and pressure to conform. The painting captures this tension, suggesting that to shine is not simply to be admired, but to stand exposed under public gaze, where creative freedom can be strained by the demands of acclaim.