Sailor carts off flan, but what does that mean? (8,3)

I believe the answer is:

abstract art

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'sailor carts off flan but what does that mean?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'sailor carts off flan' is the wordplay.
'sailor' becomes 'ab' (abbreviation for able seaman).
'off' indicates anagramming the letters.
'flan' becomes 'tart' (I've seen this before).
'carts' with letters rearranged gives 'strac'.
'ab'+'strac'+'tart'='ABSTRACT ART'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for abstract art that I've seen is " Nonrepresentational paintings, sculpture etc".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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