As a social realist painter the works of Melbourne born Dalgarno are often visual commentaries on the circumstances of the working man. In 1940 he held his first major show in Brisbane and during the war worked as a camouflage artist for the RAF. In 1945 his works featured in the important Australia at War exhibition at the NGV. From 1951-53 he lived, studied (at l'Ecole des Beaux Arts) and exhibited in Paris. After extensive travels throughout Europe and Asia, Roy lived in India for nearly 20 years before coming to Auckland in 1975. Dalgarno taught at the Auckland Society of Arts working tirelessly in his Parnell studio until his death at age 90.