As a young girl, Laurel Nannup was taken to live at Wandering Mission. In 1999 Laurel completed an Associate Degree in Contemporary Fine Arts from Curtin University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) in 2000. This led to her completing her postgraduate studies in 2001.
She has participated in many exhibitions such as 'Nyungar', '100 Degrees' at Curtin University Gallery (2000), Mundjah Festival at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University, (2001), Moores building in Fremantle (2003), Shell Print Awards at the Fremantle Arts Centre (2003), and and her own exhibition Boodja (Country). Laurel has also been the recipient of a number of public and private commissions.