Artist from northern state (5)
I believe the answer is:
ernst
'artist' is the definition.
(max ernst)
'from northern state' is the wordplay.
'from' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ERNST' can be found hidden inside 'northern state'.
(Other definitions for ernst that I've seen before include "Max __; Dadaist" , "He painted" , "Max -, twentieth century German Surrealist artist" , "artist's name" , "Young partner" .)