Count art, if unconventional, as renegade! (8)

I believe the answer is:

turncoat

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'renegade' is the definition.
('turncoat' can be a synonym of 'renegade')

'count art if unconventional' is the wordplay.
'count art' can be anagrammed to 'TURNCOAT'.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for turncoat that I've seen before include "Actor nut may be a traitor" , "'Renegade, traitor (8)'" , "Traitor with reversed garment" , "Judas" , "Traitor with inverted garment" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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