Artist depicted backward native, causing offence (5)
I believe the answer is:
arson
'offence' is the definition.
(crime of illegally starting a fire)
'artist depicted backward native' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'depicted backward' is a reversal indicator.
'native' becomes 'son' (a 'son' of a particular place is a native of it).
'ra' reversed gives 'ar'.
'ar'+'son'='ARSON'
'causing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for arson that I've seen before include "criminal fire-raising" , "Criminal activity" , "major crime" , "Malicious burning to destroy property" , "It may get you in court" .)