A local art collector is lending five Damien Hirst pieces to Art for Guernsey's Mill Street gallery this festive season.

Hirst is a controversial, conceptual artist who captures beauty, death and rebirth in his artwork.

A local art collector has allowed Art for Guernsey to borrow five paintings over Christmas and January, so the public can view them for free.

Curator David Ummels says it is a privilege to present world-class pieces, removing financial and travel barriers for islanders who are interested in the art world.

"People will know him for opening up the British public mind in the early 90s with extraordinary art work, such as a sliced shark and all sorts of dotted artwork, that pretty much nobody before him dare even consider.

He widened the horizon. He even attempted to paint the Mona Lisa using elephant excrement.

He is one of the most established British artists of recent times, and we are so privileged that one of our collectors has five of them on the island - so they haven’t been seen for quite a while.

It is really something that should not be understated, the fact that in little St Peter Port we can create those world-class experiences for people."

The Art for Guernsey Gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, but is staying open until 9pm for late-night shopping on Thursdays.

"If you are going to go and do some shopping on the High Street and if you need 10 minutes of an elevated cultural experience, then come here.

Have some mulled cider and wine, and have some engagement with Damon Hirst works."