John Willam Blind Boone, the famed musician of the ragtime era. Ai Qiu won her first major figurative commission in the USA in 2000, shortly after emigrating from China . Her maquette study of John Willam "Blind" Boone, won the commission for a heroic scale bronze for Blind Boone park, in Warrensburg, Mo. The committee was charmed by the lively and lyrical style of Ai Qiu¡¯s dramatic portrayal of Boone at the keys of his piano, adrift in a melodic reverie. A year later, the large bronze was installed and received an enthusiastic response from the community . "This beautiful moving sculpture is so incredibly thrilling to see and be around..... I hope she can create a sculpture for every city in America." Sandy Irle, Blind Boone park committee chair
