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To gather pictures being ripped to pieces (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tore apart

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'ripped to pieces' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'to gather pictures' is the wordplay.
'gather' becomes 'reap' (reaping is a kind of gathering).
'pictures' becomes 'art'.
'to'+'reap'+'art'='TORE APART'

'being' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

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