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Setting free with abstract, exciting art (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extricating

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'setting free' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'abstract exciting art' is the wordplay.
'abstract' indicates an anagram.
'exciting'+'art'='excitingart'
'excitingart' is an anagram of 'EXTRICATING'.

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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