Now in its 246th year, the Summer Exhibition remains the world’s largest open entry exhibition, showcasing works in all styles and media selected by a panel of Royal Academicians. Artists range from talented newcomers to some of the biggest names in the contemporary art world.

This year, for the first time in the exhibition’s history, artists submitted digital photographs of their work online for the first stage of judging. Shortlisted works were then delivered to the Royal Academy for the second round.

In the video below, we speak to some of the shortlisted artists about why they’ve decided to enter the exhibition and what it would mean to them to be selected.

For more information see www.royalacademy.org.uk/summerexhibition