Crossword Genius

Open gallery without exhibits? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

artless

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

'open' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'gallery without exhibits?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'gallery' could be 'art' (synonyms) and 'art' is found within the answer.
'without' could be 'less' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'less' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artless that I've seen before include "Without guile or affectation" , "Without guile or sophistry" , "as an empty gallery" , "Simple, unaffected" , "Natural like slaters" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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