Meet Beauty Kussoy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beauty Kussoy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beauty, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a creative career because I’ve always seen art as both a form of survival and a tool for liberation. Growing up Indonesian-American, I constantly navigated multiple cultural identities. Art became my way of making sense of it all — a language that transcended borders, binaries, and expectations. Over time, it evolved from a personal outlet into a public practice rooted in storytelling, connection, and community building.

I believe creativity is one of the most powerful forces we have — it can disrupt systems, honor memory, spark change, and bring people together in deeply human ways. Whether I’m behind the camera, leading a creative team, or organizing a community event, I’m driven by the question: How can art help us see each other more clearly?

Pursuing this path wasn’t just about passion — it was about purpose. I knew I wanted a life where I could make an impact through visual storytelling, cultural strategy, and creative collaboration. I’ve had the privilege of working with artists, nonprofits, and organizations who value inclusivity, healing, and innovation — all things I consider essential to building a more just world.

My creative career allows me to show up as my full self and contribute to something larger. That’s why I chose it — and why I’ll keep choosing it, every day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in photography but layered with storytelling, cultural memory, and deep emotional texture. Influenced by my Indonesian heritage, Southern California upbringing, and years of working closely with people from all walks of life, my work is a meditation on identity, beauty, and connection. Whether I’m behind the camera or writing, I’m always looking for the humanity in everything — the quiet details, the colors, the rituals, the stories that don’t always get told.

These days, I’m focused on portraiture, short-form video, and narrative-driven visual work that explores how we hold space for joy, pain, heritage, and transformation. I love building sets and creating immersive studio environments that feel both personal and cinematic. I believe everyone has a story worth honoring — and I want my lens to reflect that truth.

It hasn’t always been easy. Like many artists, I’ve battled self-doubt, financial instability, and feeling like I had to choose between survival and creativity. But those experiences made me deeply empathetic and community-driven. I’ve learned to see people — really see them — and to use my work as a way of offering care, curiosity, and celebration.

What sets me apart is my perspective. I’m not just creating art; I’m building bridges — between cultures, identities, and moments in time. If my work can make someone feel seen or feel something, I’ve done my job.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, we’d hop on bikes and ride from Lakewood through Crown Hill Park and Sloan’s Lake, catching golden hour over the water before cruising into downtown. Biking is the best way to see Denver — you feel the rhythm of the city.

We’d fuel up at Pho Hong in Little Saigon (hands down the best pho — I’ll die on that hill), or Orion Hot Pot in Arvada, owned by Indonesian family friends. Want sushi? We’d go to Sushi Uokura in Golden for their unbeatable all-you-can-eat nigiri or Domo Japanese Country Food Restaurant for homestyle comfort.

Art is a must: Clyfford Still Museum, MCA Denver, and Denver Art Museum. We’d hit up Queen City Collective Coffee (any of their locations throughout the city) and Rich Spirit Bagels for breakfast, swing by Casa Bonita for a spectacle, Illegal Pete’s for burritos and margaritas, and Pete’s Kitchen for a late-night bite. And yes — Curry Kitchen in Golden is criminally underrated.

We’d head to Estes Park for saltwater taffy and jerky, then catch a Rockies game (not for the win, but for chocolate-covered fruit on a stick, lemonade, and a hot dog). At night: live music on South Broadway or a dream show at Mission Ballroom (my favorite venue).

To me, Denver’s soul exists in little pockets throughout the city — culture, nature, comfort food, and community. That’s what I’d want my best friend to remember.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people and communities to thank for shaping who I am — it’s hard to name just one. First, I want to shout out my family, especially my mom, who taught me the power of resilience, creativity, and holding onto your roots.

A huge thank you to the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) and the incredible mentors I met there who pushed me to experiment fearlessly and taught me how to lead with purpose.

I’m endlessly grateful for the creative communities that hold me up: CLRD PPL Artist Collective, ASMP Colorado, and the many BIPOC artists I’ve worked alongside in Denver who continuously inspire me with their brilliance, hustle, and heart.

Special shoutout to every client, collaborator, and student who’s trusted me to help tell their stories — thank you.

Finally, I want to recognize the countless artists, organizers, and cultural workers — past and present — who fight every day to create space for those who’ve been historically excluded. Everything I do is built on your shoulders.

This journey is not mine alone — it’s a shared story. And I carry all of you with me in every project I take on.

Website: https://beautyastria.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyastria/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beautykussoy

Image Credits
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