Is it valid to entry an artwork with "Heavy referencing" from the winning piece last time?
Also, did the original artist gave you permission to use his idea and concept? If so, then there's no problem with this.
If not, then there will be an issue here.... I guess, plagiarism.

"All of the following are considered plagiarism:
turning in someone else's work as your own. copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit. failing to put a quotation in quotation marks. giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation" - Source: Plagiarism.org
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I hope judge would be fair to all artwork that were done by "Conceptualizing" and "Originality"
I personally admire those who tried their best to do original artwork even though they are not skilled enough.

Just dropping my thoughts about this.
Thanks!