Do Catholics pray to sculptures? How do you know?

[Bruce]

We often see Catholics kneeling before a crucifix or a sculpture of Mary, in a posture of prayer. But since we cannot read their minds, we don't know to whom they might be praying. Thus, I will need evidence beyond visual observation to determine the recipient of their prayers. This evidence might include the testimony of faithful Catholics who pray before a sculpture, or Catholic writings such as the Catechism or other authoritative writings with the imprimatur of a Catholic bishop.
I like Gocatholic's flag analogy. We salute the flag because it is a visible symbol of our country.

Jim's evidence:

a) If you wanted to ask St. Francis to pray for you, wouldn't it be helpful to recall the person of St. Francis through a sculpture? Catholics who talk about "prayer" to saints are using the word in an old fashioned way to mean "asking."

b) In cemeteries people leave flowers that are allowed to decompose. They are left neither for the tombstones nor for the dead, but to honor the memory of the deceased. I've never heard anyone call that idolatry.

c) A procession with a statue of Mary is no more idolatry than honoring a picture of Martin Luther King. It is a way of remembering a wonderful life--and in Mary's case, a disciple Jesus loved.