Works of art inspired by experiences with cancer are on display at the Riverland Community College Art Gallery.

"Rea Mingeva and Kathryn Nobbe: Human Fragility and Healing" is the name of the show, which opened Thursday with a discussion between students, community members and artists.

Mingeva, an associate professor of art at Minnesota State University, Mankato, explored new means of expression in her series of three-dimentional works inspired by her sister Laura's battle with cancer.

"Stage Fright" was a full portrait of her sister, hiding her face as doors lined with miniature applauding hands opened before her. Tap shoes, a wig and a hospital gown hung from the corner of one door. Mingeva said, to her, the clothing represents a "cancer costume." It reminded her sister of the scariest moment in her ordeal, when the elevator doors opened, and she entered the hospital hallway.

Mingeva said her works are all open to individual interpretation.

"When you work intuitively, you don't think about, 'This is what I'm going to say,'" she said. "You just do what you're told to do.

"It isn't our job to interpret. It's our job to create. It's your job to interpret."

Kathryn Nobbe had two different styles on the theme.

Her manipulation and reconfiguration of photos make a kaleidoscope effect in one series of her work.

The photos are of her cancer surgery. She talked her doctor into taking pictures throughout her mastectomy.

The pieces move from shots of blankets, to implements and sutures, then open wounds and finally to some spiritual works.

She said the photos were difficult to work with at first, but the more she looked at them, the more fascinated she became.

"How often do we get to see the inner working of our bodies?" she said. "How often do we get to see our flesh splayed open like that?"

Her paintings are smaller works and use a mixture of paint and computer pixels to create interesting visual textures. Nobbe said the paintings are more a reflection of the wounds incurred by the surgery.

The show will run through May 2. Gallery hours are 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. Admission is free.

Mingeva said despite the seriousness of the subject, she thinks the show is enjoyable.

"Just because a work is dark, doesn't mean it can't be accepted as entertainment," she said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com