Art instructor's analog collage series explores human expression, info overload

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Christina Galbiati, adjunct instructor of art at Penn State Lehigh Valley, has been featured by People of Print, an internationally recognized platform dedicated to printmaking, design and visual communication, for her mixed-media collage series "Fragments and Feelings."

Founded in 2008, People of Print showcases artists, designers, illustrators and creative professionals from around the world whose work explores the evolving role of print, visual communication and contemporary artistic practice.

Galbiati's featured series uses hundreds of individually cut and layered Helvetica letters to create dense, hand-assembled compositions built from familiar expressions such as "Blah," "Ugh," "Hmm" and "SOS." Through the repetitive process of cutting, tearing and collaging, the work examines themes of sensory overload, capitalism, media saturation and the increasingly complex relationship between technology and human creativity.

"Drawing from my graphic design roots, I investigate the role of reproduction as both an archival and expressive tool, reflecting the value of tangible media and the irreplaceable role of human creativity despite society's increasing dependence on machine-driven culture," Galbiati said.

Although the work could be created digitally, Galbiati said, every piece in the series is assembled entirely by hand using printed letters, photocopied textures and layered paper elements.

"My work explores the tension between digital culture and the human experience," Galbiati said. "By building by hand from hundreds of individual letters, I want viewers to slow down and consider the value of tangible creation, especially at a time when so much of our communication and creative work exists only in digital spaces."

A defining aspect of the project is its emphasis on physical process. Galbiati uses commonplace language and repeated typography to create visual representations of information overload, drawing parallels to the constant flow of news, social media and digital communication that characterize modern life.

The series also reflects lessons Galbiati learned during her own education as graphic design programs transitioned from analog to digital production.

"I learned the value of handmade creative processes during my undergraduate studies in the 1990s, when design instruction was transitioning from analog to digital technology," Galbiati said. "We learned the value of creating by hand and using technology as a tool. I'm encouraged to see a resurgence of these processes today because they help preserve creativity and individuality at a moment when both are increasingly important."

Galbiati's commitment to hands-on creativity extends beyond her studio practice and into her classroom. She has taught at Penn State Lehigh Valley for 15 years, primarily teaching Introduction to Graphic Design while also contributing to communication courses and interdisciplinary programming.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching at Penn State Lehigh Valley is the opportunity to work closely with students as they develop their skills, confidence and creative voice," Galbiati said. "I am committed to creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged and encouraged to explore their potential."

Her interest in the connection between analog creation and creative thinking has also informed her academic work. Galbiati conducted a research study at Penn State Lehigh Valley examining the impact of hands-on ideation methods in graphic design education.

"The study measured an increase in originality in creative thinking when students worked by hand," she said. "The results provided academic support for what I had experienced throughout my career and reinforced why I continue to incorporate these methods into my teaching whenever possible."

Ann Lalik, assistant teaching professor of art and coordinator of the Ronald K. De Long Gallery, said Galbiati's impact extends well beyond the classroom.

"Christina has been a vital member of the Penn State Lehigh Valley art faculty for 15 years," Lalik said. "Her teaching seamlessly blends technical mastery with creative problem-solving and self-expression, helping students build both practical skills and confidence in their own artistic voices."

In recognition of her contributions, Galbiati received the Penn State Lehigh Valley Teaching Excellence Award for part-time faculty in 2024.

Beyond teaching, she actively connects the campus and local community through workshops, exhibitions and continuing education programs. In January 2025, she led a Martin Luther King Jr. Day collage workshop that resulted in a large-scale collaborative artwork now permanently displayed on campus.

As a practicing multidisciplinary artist and designer, Galbiati combines analog and digital influences to create works that explore social justice, human rights and contemporary culture. Her artwork has been featured in several exhibitions at Penn State Lehigh Valley's Ronald K. De Long Gallery, including "Words as Images," "Connecting for the Future: The 8th Street Bridge Turns 100," and "Liberty and Justice for All."

The "Fragments and Feelings" series began in 2025 and continues to evolve, demonstrating how traditional artistic processes can offer new ways of understanding modern life while reinforcing the enduring value of human creativity.