Katherine dos Santos Fernandes HND BA(Hons)

Katherine dos Santos Fernandes HND BA(Hons)

Born in Colchester, Katherine had very early contact with the arts.  Daughter of a Festival ballet dancer, she took part in community theatre for seventeen years and grew interested in design and costume from the family theatrical hire.   From sixteen she took a place in the National Youth Theatre costume department for five seasons and did work experience in the Angels and Bermans and the Globe Theatre.  

She graduated an HND in Costume Interpretation for Stage and Screen at Mabel Fletchers in Liverpool, where she discovered Samba and her love of Brazilian carnival culture,  working meanwhile at the Everyman and the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester.   She went on to study BA in Fine Art at Liverpool John Moores University.  
Katherine dos Santos Fernandes: Clay and Silicone sculpture for her Degree.

She graduated BA(Hons) in Technical Arts Interpretation at Wimbledon School of Art.  On the right is a degree show piece from clay life sculpt to the final stage in Silicone and fibreglass, made in Mount Vernon Hospital Maxilofacial prosthetic department, with sponsorship and guidance from David and Arran Gavin.

She worked making dinosaurs at Arran Studios, assisted molding sculpture for Gary Pollard, sculpted for John Coppinger and worked as a prosthetic creature maker in Jim Hensons Creature shop.  She taught Art Foundation in the fashion department of the Institute, Colchester.  She works as a composite laminator plastics engineer (carbon fibre and fibregalss) making radio controlled boats for world champion model boat racer Graham Bantock and Sailsetc.

Whilst studying costume in Liverpool she was introduced to Samba and Carnival in Brazil by Roger Morris and Maeve, founders of the Liverpool School of Samba. This awoke a strong interest in the Rio Carnival and Brazilian culture.  She later participated in various other groups; Manchester School of Samba, London School of Samba, Abalo Bloco, Maracatu Estrella do Norte and Paraiso School of Samba.  
Katherine in an Ala of GRES Estacio de Sa, Rio Carnival 2004.Katherine in an Ala of GRES Estacio de Sa, Rio Carnival 2004.

Katherine went on to go to Brazil every year from 2002 visiting Rio de Janeiro where she had contact with various Schools of Samba and she met her husband.  They helped to work on floats and sculpture for GRES Estacio Mirim, children's Estacio de Sa.  From this union Boudica Bloco was founded and based in Colchester, bringing authentic Brazilian culture to the UK.

Katherine in GRES Estacio de Sa (2004) and below, doing sculpture for GRES Estacio Mirim.

Katherine sculpture in GRES Estacio Mirim.Katherine sculpture in GRES Estacio Mirim.