The exhibition, 'Hearts and minds: wartime propaganda' is a touring exhibition from the Australian War Memorial which includes posters created by leading graphic artists of the twentieth century.

Among them is the famous "I Want You" US Army poster created by James Montgomery Flagg and featuring the character of Uncle Sam.

As well as the "The Blonde Bombshell" poster created by Abram Games, which was banned by the British Government during the Second World War for being too risqué, and also the "Keep Calm and Carry On" British national security poster which was never actually utilised during war-time.

Museum manager Mary-Liz Andrews said the propaganda posters provide a rare insight into life during times of war in spectacular colour.

"What I find absolutely incredible - because these are all original posters that are more than 100 years old - is the vibrancy of colour," she said.

"You see these reproduced all over the place so to see the originals is quite amazing.

"You look back to those eras and you don't think of the vibrancy of colours. You don't think of that. You see the images in black and white. But to see this [exhibition of posters] that were plastered all over the street, it gives a lived experience of the every day person walking down the street in war-time."

The exhibition displays 39 framed posters selected from the War Memorial's poster collection to allow comparisons between different nations and their approaches to propaganda over time.

When it comes to her personal favourites, Dr Andrews can't go past the depictions of women in World War Two when they were able to adopt a much more active and empowered role.

"Between the First and Second World War, [women went] from a very passive and supportive role to a very active and integral role in the war effort," the museum manager said.

"Seeing [the posters] together helps you understand the social shift that occurred between the First and Second World Wars."

On February 8, the museum will be hosting a special evening for educators of history, art, design and media focusing on both iconic and lesser known propaganda posters from WW1 and WW2.

'Hearts and minds' will be at Orange Regional Museum until March 14.