David Shrigley admits it’s ridiculous to claim that a 10-metre-high thumbs up in Trafalgar Square will improve society, the economy and the weather – but he has to believe it.
“As an artist you have to feel your art makes the world a better place and you have to believe that quite sincerely, otherwise why would you make it?” he said after it was announced that he had been chosen to fill one of the most coveted spots for public art in the UK.