Artist struggling professionally for freedom? (12)
I believe the answer is:
escapologist
'artist' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for escapologist that I've seen before include "Entertainer skilled at getting free from confinement" , "Eg, Harry Houdini" , "One called Harry" , "Entertainer getting free from constraints" , "chap who's becoming unrestrained?" .)