DeKalb’s Nehring Center is hosting an exhibit of artwork from a simpler time; when good was good, dictators were evil, everyone supported the troops and war was war.

The Art of World War II exhibit, located at 211 S. Second Street, uses original propaganda posters and art, exposes controversial trends, cultural stereotyping and good old-fashioned nationalism at its best and worst.

The art on display is part of the collection amassed by Wright’s Jewelry owner John Wright.

Since buying his first piece of WWII memorabilia in 1970 at the Kane County Flea Market, Wright has accumulated more than 600 vintage posters and 100 original and editorial art pieces.

The Nehring Center displayed works collected by Wright in 2004 with an emphasis on war posters.

“The collection’s large enough to display new material every year, so it’s going to be an annual exhibit,” said Wright. “I’m happy that others can see them and appreciate them.”

Aside from its relevance regarding the war, the collection braves contentious themes such as race and worker ethics.

“Most of the controversial pieces are also the rare ones,” Wright said.

Alcohol, Eskimos and Japanese work-related miscommunications are just a few of the polemic issues brooded upon in the abundant gallery space.

Some pieces on display have never been publicly shown until this exhibit, while others have graced the pages of the Chicago Tribune or been mass produced by the government to boost wartime morale.

“Two of the original pieces were denied government approval and were lost until only recently when the granddaughter of the artist found them in a closet,” said Jessica Witte, director of the Nehring Center gallery.

The exhibit shows how much simpler the public response to World War II was than the response to the current War on Terror.

“It was easier for the public to want to depose Hitler,” said Kingston resident Lana Kingston. “He was far beyond the scope of just being a dictator against democracy. It’s more complicated now.”

Though the times and causes are different, one is forced to dwell upon public morale and its effect on wartime actions.

“It’s amazing how the artists can use simple images to convey such big ideas so effectively,” Haines said.

One of the most effective pieces on display is the poster based on the award-winning photograph, “Flag Raising at Iwo Jima,” which is signed by the three surviving soldiers of the picture.

“People nowadays are unhappy but complacent about the war,” Witte said. “This exhibit compels anyone to think about how war once was and still is.”