What's wrong with ours - Andrew Marvell, Amy Johnson, King Billy, William Wilberforce (and more - feel free to name them)? Maybe this is already happening...... http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/aug/19/jeremy-paxman-john-wilkes-talking-statues .....and it's a good fit with 'City of Culture'.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28832320 I saw this on BBC the other day and thought it would be great for Hull. Loved the talking cat.
We need a statue for Mick Ronson. Instead of talking, just play his guitar solo from Moonage Daydream.