沈 文 华

By Shen Wenhua

现年79岁的沪上著名书法家王宾湖被誉为“海上一怪”，其书法是酣畅淋漓的“六分半体”，感情饱满，笔意流畅，情感得到充分抒发。“无所放其意；则往往从布衣野花；酣嬉淋漓；颠倒而不厌。”(宋· 欧阳修)

The renowned calligrapher Wang Binhu, aged 79 in Shanghai, is acclaimed as the "Sea Eccentric". His calligraphy embodies the spirited "Six and a Half Style", brimming with emotions, flowing with ease, fully expressing sentiments. "Without constraint of intent; often from common cloth and wild flowers; in joyous abandon; turning over without fatigue." (Song Dynasty, Ouyang Xiu)

王宾湖现为上海市赵朴初研究会特邀理事、香港国画院副院长、日本东京中国书画院特聘高级院士 。笔者曾先后撰写三文:2017年7月《肃然绝俗、积德行善——评“海上一怪”王宾湖书法》、2019年11月《从“六分半书”到“诸体相掺”——王宾湖先生与书法》、2020年11月《风雨中提灯而来——漫谈“海上一怪”王宾湖与书法》，曾刊发在“中国国际新闻”等媒体，引起读者的广泛关注。其书法曾被“中国国际新闻网”评为“中国国际影响力书法艺术家”。

Wang Binhu currently serves as a specially invited council member of the Shanghai Zhaopu Chu Research Society, Vice President of the Hong Kong National Painting Academy, and a distinguished senior academician at the China Calligraphy and Painting Institute in Tokyo, Japan. The author has previously written three articles: "Solemnly Transcending the Mundane, Accumulating Virtue and Doing Good—An Evaluation of 'Sea Eccentric' Wang Binhu's Calligraphy" in July 2017, "From 'Six and a Half Style' to 'Assorted Styles'—Mr. Wang Binhu and Calligraphy" in November 2019, and "Arriving with a Lantern in the Wind and Rain—A Discussion on 'Sea Eccentric' Wang Binhu and Calligraphy" in November 2020. These articles were published in "China International News" and other media outlets, attracting widespread attention from readers. His calligraphy has been recognized by the "China International News Network" as a "Chinese internationally influential calligraphy artist".

“淒凄风雨遥相忆，五十年前旧板桥。”改革开放后，他随妻子(沪下放知青)返沪定居，十多年间遍访沪苏浙赣一百多家名寺名院，受用禅境，献墨行善。“行入山际寺，树外疑无天。”经沪上名寺高僧指点，取艺名“海上一怪”。近年来，王宾湖又复访增访上海、浙江、江苏、安徽和江西等地一百多家寺院，纵情翰墨间，善结墨缘，广交僧佛香客。交往上海复旦大学、上海音乐学院、上海外国语学院的师生，赴中国美院以及桐庐等各地美术书法创作基地创作，喜结书法同道。书法佳作流传东南亚、中国台湾、中国香港、韩国、新加坡、日本和欧美等地，以及五台山、九华山、普陀山和白露山等全国名刹古寺。可谓“古寺长廊清夜美，风松烟桧萧然。”其作品还被2015年12月丝绸之路“世界文化小姐”大赛指定为大会惟一的颁奖礼品。2019年6月“香港世界百岁论坛”馈赠礼品。“高山流水觅知音”书法作品荣获2009年第二届中日名家交流展最高奖“金樱奖”。

"In the desolate wind and rain, memories are distant, of the old plank bridge fifty years ago." After the reform and opening up, he returned to settle in Shanghai with his wife (a sent-down youth from Shanghai). Over the course of more than a decade, he visited over a hundred famous temples and academies in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi, enjoying the Zen ambiance and contributing his calligraphy for charitable purposes. "Entering the Mountain Border Temple, outside the trees seem to touch the sky." Guided by eminent monks of renowned temples in Shanghai, he adopted the artistic name "Sea Eccentric". In recent years, Wang Binhu has revisited and expanded his visits to over a hundred temples in Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Jiangxi, indulging in calligraphy, fostering ink connections, and engaging with Buddhist monks and devotees. He has interacted with faculty and students from Fudan University, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Shanghai International Studies University, and has visited various art and calligraphy creation bases such as the China Academy of Art and Tonglu, delighting in forming friendships with fellow calligraphers. His calligraphic masterpieces have spread to Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Europe, America, as well as renowned ancient temples nationwide such as Mount Wutai, Mount Jiuhua, Mount Putuo, and Mount Bailu. It's like "the beauty of the ancient temple corridors in the quiet night, with the wind rustling through the pine and cypress trees." His works were designated as the exclusive awards at the Silk Road "Miss World Cultural" contest in December 2015. In June 2019, they were presented as gifts at the "Hong Kong World Centenarians Forum". His calligraphic work "Seeking Kindred Spirits in High Mountains and Flowing Waters" won the highest award, the "Golden Sakura Award", at the 2009 Second China-Japan Master Exchange Exhibition.

“君生兰渚旁，熟精种艺方。”王宾湖先生，1946年7月出生于“兰花之乡”浙江兰溪兰江之畔，其祖辈经营百年老字号兰溪十大名店“七步斋笔墨老庄”。青年时代拜海派名家白露山樵童之风入室弟子蔡志瀛为师，又紧随上海美专山水画教授吴文质研习书画，先后得到邓白、丁仃等三十多位著名书画家的指点，习碑临帖郑板桥体已五十多年。

"Born by the Lan River, you cultivate expertise with mastery." Mr. Wang Binhu was born in July 1946 in Lanxi, Zhejiang Province, known as the "hometown of orchids", along the banks of the Lan River. His ancestors managed the century-old renowned store "Qibuzhai Brush and Ink Old Village", one of the top ten famous stores in Lanxi. In his youth, he studied under the tutelage of the renowned maritime painter Bai Lushan, known for his rustic style, and later studied painting and calligraphy under Wu Wenzhi, a professor of landscape painting at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. He received guidance from more than thirty famous calligraphers and painters such as Deng Bai and Ding Ding, and has been practicing the calligraphy style of Zheng Banqiao for over fifty years.

郑板桥(1693-1766)，江苏兴化人，祖籍苏州。“扬州八怪”代表人物，自称为“六分半书”的书法，历来颇受争议，古时便被正统书家认为是“野狐禅”。中青年时期的郑板桥把其草隶篆融为一体，再引入绘画元素，终于自成一家。今人学研郑板桥的书家很多，但大多是把郑板桥的字体“模式”化了。

Zheng Banqiao (1693-1766), a native of Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, with ancestral roots in Suzhou, was a prominent figure among the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou". He self-proclaimed his calligraphy as the "Six and a Half Style", which has historically been quite controversial, with orthodox calligraphers considering it as "wild fox Zen". During his early and middle years, Zheng Banqiao integrated cursive, clerical, and seal scripts into one, while also incorporating elements of painting, thus establishing his unique style. Nowadays, many calligraphers study and research Zheng Banqiao's works, but most tend to standardize his font into a mere "model".

“下笔别自成一家，书画不愿常人夸。”王宾湖先生，追求书体的传承与创新，在书道上逐渐形成了自己的静穆活泼、拙形拙神之“海上一怪”的书法风格。郑板桥字体的精髓在于千变万化，同一个字在不同的场合、不同的作品中写法都不一样，至于怎么写，完全是现场发挥、因地而宜。自出机抒，生意勃发。疫情期间，他书赠上海市第六人民医院骨科驰援武汉回沪的医护人员“大爱无疆”、“大医精诚”、“行善积德”等书法受到赞许。

"Wielding the brush, I carve out my own path; in calligraphy and painting, I shun the praise of ordinary folk." Mr. Wang Binhu, pursuing both the heritage and innovation of calligraphic styles, has gradually developed his own distinctive calligraphic style, characterized by a tranquil yet lively demeanor, and a natural and unpretentious spirit, known as the "Sea Eccentric". The essence of Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy lies in its ever-changing nature; the same character can be written differently in various contexts and works. As for how to write, it's entirely improvised and adapted to the situation. With spontaneity, his art flourishes. During the pandemic, his calligraphy, such as "Boundless Love", "Medical Excellence", and "Accumulating Virtue through Benevolent Deeds", gifted to the medical staff returning to Shanghai after aiding Wuhan's orthopedic department, received much acclaim.

“对客挥毫写屏幛，画成一缕日痕斜。”王宾湖先生家居住在上海龙华寺附近，常常前往周边寺院习字献书法。闵行区佛教协会会长、七宝教寺慧平主持，将其书法作为礼品送往台湾和日本寺院。近年，他还先后赴访上海的七宝教寺、静安寺、宁国禅寺、明因寺、玉佛寺、龙音寺;江苏的苏州兰风寺、法螺寺和天平寺，泗州禅寺、扬州大明寺、吴江圆通寺、宜兴大觉寺和南岳禅寺、盐城弥陀寺、无锡南禅寺和甘露禅寺;浙江的金华金弘禅寺、九峰寺、黄大仙二仙祠和安国禅寺，温州雁荡山普明禅寺，嘉兴香海禅寺，新安江福公寺、括苍山万福禅寺，兰溪白露山寺和兰荫寺;安徽滁州神山寺；江西的修水九峰山云岩寺、庐山九江黄龙寺、上饶琅邪山护国寺等等。“山寺归来闻好语，野花啼鸟亦欣然。”穿行于禅佛曲廊，茶香会友静心修行，聆听晨钟暮鼓，禅室砌磋艺道，书法艺术日渐精进。

"With guests, I wield my brush to write screens and banners; drawing, I leave behind traces of sunlight askew." Mr. Wang Binhu resides near the Longhua Temple in Shanghai, often visiting nearby temples to practice calligraphy and offer his works. Hosted by the President of the Buddhist Association of Minhang District, Master Hui Ping of the Qibao Temple, his calligraphy has been presented as gifts to temples in Taiwan and Japan. In recent years, he has visited numerous temples, including the Qibao Temple, Jing'an Temple, Ningguo Zen Temple, Mingyin Temple, Jade Buddha Temple, and Longyin Temple in Shanghai; the Lanfeng Temple, Faluo Temple, and Tianping Temple in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province; the Sizhou Zen Temple, Daming Temple in Yangzhou, Yuantong Temple in Wujiang, Dajue Temple in Yixing, Nanyue Zen Temple in Nanjing, Mituo Temple in Yancheng, Nanchan Temple in Wuxi, and Ganlu Zen Temple in Wuxi, Zhejiang Province; the Jinhong Zen Temple, Jiufeng Temple, Huangdaixian Temple, and Anguo Zen Temple in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province; the Puming Zen Temple in Mount Yandang, Wenzhou, the Xianghai Zen Temple in Jiaxing, the Fu Gong Temple in Xin'an River, the Wanfu Zen Temple in Kuocang Mountain, the Bailu Mountain Temple and Lanyin Temple in Lanxi, Zhejiang Province; the Shenshan Temple in Chuzhou, Anhui Province; and the Yunyan Temple in Xiushui Mountain, Lushan Huanglong Temple in Jiujiang, and Huguo Temple in Langya Mountain in Jiangxi Province, among others. "Returning from mountain temples, one hears pleasant words; wildflowers and birdsong also bring joy." Wandering through the winding corridors of Zen Buddhism, sharing tea and conversation with friends, meditating in tranquility, listening to the morning and evening bells, engaging in discussions in the meditation room, his calligraphic artistry continues to advance.

“兴来散笔挥筼筜，风枝露叶相低昂。”阅他微信圈刊发赴各地书写的众多佳作，不难发现，他有不少的作品都将诸种书体相掺杂，如有的是隶草相掺，有的则是以隶为主，带有篆意和杂以行草，更有的是以其收藏奇石根雕艺术灵感相揉其中的倚侧变体，奇思妙想。拟画拟文拟诗终拟字，“天趣淋漓，烟云满幅。”将兰竹石“人格化”了。

"With inspiration, he casually wields his brush, like the wind branches and leaves, gracefully swaying." Reading through the numerous excellent works he has posted on his WeChat Moments from his travels across various places, it is not difficult to notice that many of his pieces blend various styles of calligraphy. Some combine clerical script with cursive script, while others primarily use clerical script with hints of seal script and occasional cursive elements. Furthermore, some works are inspired by his collection of strange stone root carvings, resulting in innovative variations that incorporate inclined and lateral forms. Engaged in sketching, composing, and even poetry, ultimately, it's the characters he creates that are the focus. "Overflowing with natural charm, his art is like clouds and mist filling the entire scroll." He humanizes orchids, bamboo, and rocks.

“诸体相杂”的书法，独辟蹊径的创作意识，主要是强化了字体中篆隶的成份，引入了郑板桥“乱石铺街”理念以及画兰的撇叶法等绘画要素。王宾湖先生真气真意真趣，书法多奇气，则杂以篆隶，行草亦有似兰竹者，从“六分半书”到“诸体相掺”，使其书法创作样式发挥到潇洒自如的极致。

The calligraphy of "blending various styles" takes a unique creative approach, primarily enhancing the components of seal script and clerical script in the characters, introducing concepts from Zheng Banqiao's "scattered stones pave the street" and the painting technique of orchid leaves. Mr. Wang Binhu's calligraphy is imbued with genuine energy, intention, and interest. With a variety of styles, blending seal script and clerical script, and even cursive script resembling orchids and bamboo, from "six and a half-point script" to "blending various styles," his calligraphic style reaches the pinnacle of effortless gracefulness.

“吴君何从得此本，尺幅之势千寻強。”他书法的整体特征是具有画意，或者说他以作画的方式进行书法创作，尤其是擅长四尺整张的大字书写独具个性风格。其四个字的大字书法十分精妙，引画意入书，在一种富有无尽的力道的变化中，以墨韵和行笔含蕴哲理历史、线条运用打着深刻的思绪意味和沧桑的印记。2022年7月，北京星光红色文化传媒集团特聘其为书画总监。

"Wu Jun, how did you acquire such mastery? With the momentum of a thousand streams." The overall characteristic of his calligraphy is its painterly quality, or one might say, he approaches calligraphy as if he were painting. Particularly adept at writing large characters spanning four feet, he possesses a distinctive and personal style. His large-character calligraphy is extraordinarily exquisite, blending artistic intent with calligraphic strokes, encompassing profound philosophical and historical implications within its endless variations of strength. In July 2022, he was specially appointed as the Director of Calligraphy and Painting by the Beijing Starlight Red Culture Media Group.

“兴酣率尔弄笔墨，满堂何事苍烟封。”密集字体的书写，四尺整张控制在十六字内，随手写来，自然天成，字体掺杂真、篆、隶体势，功力和趣味兼具。有的行草为主，颇见性情，显然“无意于佳乃佳”。尤其是书写扇面字体最难，以其篇幅小而难于结构。其样式的大小肥瘦、笔意的轻重、粗细长短、行与行之间的错落揖让、运笔情感上的收放节奏、空间形式的虚实、占用与留白等等，都体现绘画式的“诸体相掺”的创作手法。

"With fervor, he wields his brush and ink, as the hall is enveloped in swirling mist." Writing in densely packed characters, he confines sixteen characters within a space of four feet, effortlessly and naturally. His calligraphy blends elements of Regular, Seal, and Clerical scripts, showcasing both skill and whimsy. Some are dominated by cursive script, revealing his temperament, evidently not striving for perfection. Particularly challenging is the calligraphy on fans, with their limited space and complex structure. The varying sizes, thicknesses, lengths, and styles of strokes, the interplay between lines, the rhythm of brushstrokes, the manipulation of space, and the balance between occupied and blank areas, all demonstrate a painting-like approach in his creation, where different styles are blended seamlessly.

“每忆扬州郑板桥，纵横笔墨兴何饶。”王宾湖先生笔情纵逸，随意挥洒，苍劲豪迈。他常年奔走在江南各地寺院，赴上海复旦大学老教授吴传明工作室创作；访温州双潮红豆杉基地和双潮植物园；去过江苏宜兴，参加瑞优娜集团举办的第二届幸福文化节随交通电台为当地民工子弟就读的民办小学捐赠礼物和现场创作赠送作品。串客出席上海大型慈禧爱心及公益专项基金会活动、世界人民大团圆春晚，参加浦东新区及其他企业家联合会互动，高铁机场宾馆码头以书会友结识外国友人与国内各地出差和旅游的教授学者、舞蹈婺剧京剧演员、空姐、建筑师、医生、作家画家、军人、科技人员、农民工子弟、中学校长、青少年朋友等等。他说，他的书法常年参加各地寺院善举义拍，为慈善事业敬献爱心，也受到群众的喜爱。在江苏寺院义拍，有一幅四尺书法“宁静致远”被拍卖一万元。王宾湖不求索取作奉献，可谓“笔性墨情”，皆以其人性情为本。

"Whenever I recall Zheng Banqiao of Yangzhou, the vigor in brush and ink knows no bounds." Mr. Wang Binhu's brushwork is unrestrained, freely flowing with boldness and vigor. He travels extensively to temples across Jiangnan, creating works at the studio of Wu Chuanming, a retired professor from Fudan University in Shanghai. He has visited the redwood forest and botanical garden in Wenzhou, participated in the second Happiness Cultural Festival organized by the Rui'ouna Group, donating gifts to a private school for children of migrant workers and presenting on-site creations. He attends large-scale charity events hosted by the Shanghai Empress Dowager Love and Public Welfare Special Fund, the World People's Reunion Spring Festival Gala, and interacts with the Pudong New Area and other entrepreneur associations. He also meets foreign friends at high-speed rail stations, airports, hotels, and docks through calligraphy, as well as professors, scholars, dancers, opera performers, flight attendants, architects, doctors, writers, painters, soldiers, scientists, migrant workers' children, high school principals, and young friends from various places during business trips and travels. He mentions that his calligraphy often participates in charity auctions at temples, contributing to charitable causes, and is beloved by the masses. At a charity auction in a Jiangsu temple, a four-foot calligraphy piece titled "Tranquility Leads to Far-Reaching" was auctioned for ten thousand yuan. Wang Binhu seeks no personal gain but strives to contribute, embodying the essence of his personality and emotions through his art.

“瘦干欲上转欹侧，如敲水槛送昼凉。”不同的场境，不同的寺院，不同的对象，产生出一个个敏感的瞬间，一个个思维的焦点和亮点，一个个阐释不尽的独到发现。随之创作出一幅幅书法作品，千变万化，离奇苍古而又能细秀妥帖。这些精妙的记录，余韵袅袅，挟带着文字的趣味，书艺的安顿，情绪的哲思，会共同酿造出一个不断增长的意识空间，这个空间的情绪将是超常的丰饶。

"Inclined to ascend with slender branches, as if tapping the water railing to send the midday coolness." In different settings, at different temples, with different subjects, sensitive moments emerge, each becoming a focal point of thought and illumination, each offering unique insights. From these moments emerge calligraphic works, ever-changing, strangely ancient yet delicately refined. These exquisite records linger, carrying the charm of words, the settling of calligraphy, the philosophical musings of emotions, all brewing a continuously expanding realm of consciousness. The emotions within this realm will be exceptionally rich.

“净室空山气味长，百年荣悴只寻常。”2024年5月，家乡企业家李卫兵先生慕名为王宾湖设立“郑板桥诗书画艺术研究室”及“海上一怪书法创作基地”。雅俗共赏的“海上一怪”书法作品，洒脱秀美，书卷气浓郁，已进入平常百姓家，逐渐会为世人所推重。

"In the pure chamber, the scent of the mountains lingers long, a hundred years of honor and decline, just ordinary." In May 2024, local entrepreneur Mr. Li Weibing, impressed by Wang Binhu's reputation, established the "Zheng Banqiao Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting Art Research Center" and the "Hai Shang Yi Guai Calligraphy Creative Base" for him. The calligraphic works of "Hai Shang Yi Guai," appreciated by both refined and common tastes, elegant and free spirited, imbued with the richness of scrolls, have now entered ordinary households and are gradually gaining recognition among the people.