Only a few weeks ago, the prospect of Ai Weiwei travelling to Melbourne for an exhibition -devoted to his work seemed -remote at best.
Now in possession of a passport, a UK visa and an apology from the British government, the Chinese artist has confirmed Australia is also on his schedule for later in the year. 
The National Gallery of Victoria's summer blockbuster will explore the work of two artists: Ai and Andy Warhol, both cultural heavyweights who tried to make sense of their worlds through art.
Ai had been prevented from leaving China since 2011, when he was detained and interrogated amid a general crackdown on government critics.
A fortnight ago he turned to one of his preferred communication tools - Instagram - to announce his passport had been returned. As well as a trip to Australia, this meant he could potentially travel to England, where an exhibition of his work opens at the Royal Academy in   September.
But on Thursday, British immigration authorities issued Ai a -restricted visa, prompting speculation he was being held back -during a visit to the country by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The department's letter, which Ai posted on Instagram, accused him of failing to declare a criminal conviction, even though he has never been charged with a crime.
The UK Home Office overturned the decision on the weekend and extended his 20-day visa to the six-month period requested. According to a spokesman, Home Secretary Theresa   May had not been consulted over the decision to restrict his visa: "We have written to Mr Ai apologising for the inconvenience caused." "I'm glad they quickly solved this," Ai told The New York Times from Munich, where he was visiting his six-year-old son.
The artist was asked by a Beijing-based journalist on Twitter whether he would be travelling to Melbourne for his NGV show. "Yes," he replied.Director Tony Ellwood did not confirm the news, but said in a statement that the gallery "would be delighted to welcome Ai Weiwei to Melbourne" for the opening in   December. "We are grateful for his commitment and support of this exhibition, for which he is creating new and significant works that include four large-scale commissions," Ellwood said.