Validated. That's extreme use of photoshop. It's hard for me to think of this as anything but digital art, but I'll give it a shot. Nice and bold - it certianly catches the eye.
I wish I knew who this was a tribute too. My main problem with this is that it looks more like an image drawn in paintshop pro rather than a photograph. Although there are filters I think that would get this effect. I'd like to see one from the original photographer so I could compare.
The overpowering colors and pixelations in this photo really kill it for me. Perhaps it's supposed to be that way but I just can't relate this to the photographer?
It's vibrant ... I'll give you that. But it's been processed so heavily it is no longer a photo ... I suppose a bit like some of Warhol's work, which was probably your point. Good luck in the voting.