Aboriginal Australian Family Shares Faith Through Vibrant Art

The Bird family's indigenous artwork has helped convert 'whole communities' and is now on display at the Church History Museum.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:54pm

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The Bird family, an Aboriginal family of artists living in the remote red desert of central Australia, has long used their people's artistic tradition to preserve a vibrant and visual history of their homeland and ancestors' stories. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the family has also adapted their people's art practice, called 'Altyerre' or 'dreaming', to spread forth and testify of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to Aboriginal Australian communities in a shared visual language. Three members of the Bird family traveled from Australia to Salt Lake City to attend the opening of an exhibit showcasing their work at the Church History Museum.

Why it matters

The Bird family's artwork serves as 'tangible testimonies' of their faith, helping to bring the gospel to First Peoples in Australia in a visual language they can easily understand. Their art has enabled them to share their beliefs with 'whole communities' and connect with others through a shared artistic tradition.

The details

The Bird family's art follows the Aboriginal art practice of the Anmatyerr people, depicting landscapes and stories from an aerial perspective using bright colors and patterns. They have expanded this art form to include semi-abstract representations of gospel scenes and scripture stories. One painting by Colleen Wallace Nungari, for example, depicts the tree of life vision from the Book of Mormon, showing the tree surrounded by 'U' shapes representing people and a 'rod of iron' leading toward it.

  • The Bird family members traveled from Australia to attend the exhibit opening in Salt Lake City on March 26, 2026.
  • The exhibit 'From Above: Aboriginal Australian Art from the Bird Family' will remain on view at the Church History Museum through August 1, 2026.

The players

Gary Bird Mpetyane

A member of the Bird family of Aboriginal Australian artists.

Maggie Bird Mpetyane

A member of the Bird family of Aboriginal Australian artists.

Colleen Wallace Nungaria

A member of the Bird family of Aboriginal Australian artists.

Laura Paulsen Howe

The curator of the exhibit featuring the Bird family's artwork at the Church History Museum.

Riley Lorimer

The director of the Church History Museum.

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What they’re saying

“Whole communities (in central Australia) have been baptized because (the family) shares' their faith through art.”

— Laura Paulsen Howe, Exhibit Curator

“I feel happy when I do paintings. That is 'why I share my thoughts to my family and friends, (and) why we came here to share stories.”

— Gary Bird Mpetyane

“I feel 'joy and light' when I paint of my faith in Jesus Christ.”

— Rose Coleena Wallace Nungari

“Learning about the Bird family's art and its significance was 'humbling' for me.”

— Laura Paulsen Howe, Exhibit Curator

“All of the pieces serve as 'tangible testimonies' and I expressed a personal hope that the exhibit's visitors will likewise exercise faith and humility as they learn about the art and beliefs of the Bird family.”

— Laura Paulsen Howe, Exhibit Curator

What’s next

The exhibit 'From Above: Aboriginal Australian Art from the Bird Family' will remain on view at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City through August 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bird family's vibrant, gospel-centered artwork has enabled them to share their faith with 'whole communities' in central Australia, demonstrating the power of visual storytelling to connect people across cultures and strengthen spiritual bonds.